Cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy

Emergent Zero-Fluoroscopy Mapping and Thoracoscopic Ectomy of Appendage in Pregnant Women with Life-Threatening Atrial Tachycardia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Focal atrial tachycardia (AT) originating from the right atrial appendage (RAA), often persistent and refractory, is clinically rare in pregnant woman, and the therapy is much more challenging. We report that a pregnant woman presented with hypotension due to persistent and refractory atrial tachycardia and was successfully cured by a multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) approach, consisting of a combination of zero-fluoroscopy mapping and thoracoscopic atrial appendectomy. We also carried out a literature review of this topic. Methods and Results: A 26-year-old woman in pregnancy at 21 weeks presented with severe palpitation and hypotension due to persistent rapid supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Since adenosine triphosphate could not terminate the tachycardia, a catheter ablation procedure was planned and finally canceled when the zero-fluoroscopy mapping using Carto 3^TM system revealed an atrial tachycardia originating from the RAA. Thoracoscopic RAA ectomy was recommended after multidisciplinary consultation and successfully performed without fluoroscopy. Ensite^TM velocity mapping system was used for accurately locating the origin of the arrhythmia during ectomy. The woman finally produced a healthy baby during follow-up. Conclusions: Focal AT originating from appendage in pregnant patients can be persistent, refractory, and life-threatening; traditional strategies, such as medicine or catheter ablation, are limited in this situation. MDT measures, using a thoracoscopic ectomy and zero-fluoroscopy three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping technique, is minimally invasive and a promising strategy.

A Case of Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy During Pregnancy: Clinical Presentation and Management

A 28-year-old G2P0010 woman with a history of COVID infection during her current pregnancy treated with monoclonal antibodies and benign gestational thrombocytopenia presented for routine prenatal care at 33 weeks' gestation. The patient was asymptomatic, but incidental tachycardia was noted on the physical exam with an irregular rhythm. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed and was consistent with multifocal atrial tachycardia at a rate of 144 beats per minute. The patient was started on labetalol 50 mg daily and was referred to cardiology for consultation. An echocardiogram was performed and showed dilated left ventricular cavity with a moderately reduced ejection fraction of 40%. No previous echocardiogram was available for comparison; the patient had no history of cardiac disease. The dose of labetalol was increased to 50 mg twice daily and she was admitted for digoxin loading and titration. Though fetal tolerance was excellent, her heart rate was not controlled. Digoxin was switched to flecainide and labetalol was switched to metoprolol which improved her heart rate and repeat echocardiogram showed an ejection fraction of 50%. The patient was admitted for induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation and continued intrapartum flecainide. Metoprolol was continued intra and postpartum. Flecainide was resumed at three days postpartum due to the recurrence of atrial tachycardia and has been maintained. A repeat echocardiogram is scheduled six weeks postpartum to evaluate left ventricular function and wean off antiarrhythmics.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of QTc Prolongation During Pregnancy

Background

Prolonged QT intervals have been observed in pregnant women, which predispose them to a higher risk of potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of QTc prolongation in Chinese hospitalized parturient women with single and twin pregnancies, and to explore potential risk factors associated with QTc prolongation.

Methods

This retrospective study included 1,218 patients from a large Chinese population between January 2014 and October 2020. Data from parturient women with single and twin pregnancies without pre-pregnancy cardiac diseases were collected. QTc was corrected by the Fridericia formula [QTc = QT/RR(1/3)], and QTc ≥ 460 ms for females was defined as prolonged QTc, QTc ≥ 500 ms was defined as severely prolonged QTc. The prevalence and common risk factors of QTc prolongation during pregnancy were analyzed in this cohort. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to identify clinical parameters associated with QTc prolongation in this population.

Results

The prevalence of QTc prolongation was 48.19% among this population, 10.56% in single pregnancy, 89.44% in twin pregnancies. The prevalence of severely prolonged QTc was 23.48% among the total cohort, 0.49% in single pregnancy, and 46.47% in twin pregnancies. The mean QTc interval was significantly longer in twin pregnancies than in single pregnancy (498.65 ± 38.24 vs. 424.96 ± 27.67 ms, P < 0.001). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, serum uric acid, gestational hypertension and twin pregnancies were associated with QTc prolongation in parturient women.

Conclusion

This is the first study to assess the prevalence and risk factors of QTc prolongation between single and twin pregnancies. QTc prolongation is more prevalent, and QTc intervals are significantly longer in twin pregnancies as compared to single pregnancy.

Management of Maternal Complex Congenital Heart Disease During Pregnancy

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to discuss the risk stratification and management of pregnancy in women with complex congenital heart disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Classifying congenital heart defects (CHD) including both anatomy and physiology is important for maternal risk stratification. Although most women with CHD can tolerate the physiological challenge of pregnancy, some may experience serious risks both to their health and that of their foetus. The WHO maternal risk classification model remains the best-validated risk measure. Ideally, women with CHD should have pre-conception assessment with a CHD cardiologist. General principles of management, such as need for expert centre delivery, a multidisciplinary team, epidural and mode of delivery are based on WHO risk in combination with expert assessment of status. CHD is increasingly prevalent in women of child-bearing age. Assessment by an adult CHD cardiologist, ideally pre-conception, is key in assessing and minimising risk to mother and foetus.

Detection of fetal arrhythmia by adaptive single channel electrocardiogram extraction

Fetal arrhythmia, the abnormal heartbeat of a fetus is broadly classified as tachy arrhythmia (too fast > 160 beats/min) and brady arrhythmia (too slow < 120 beats/min). Detection of this irregular heart beat rhythm of the fetus during pregnancy is still a challenging task for the clinicians. Heart rate detection through electrocardiography has always been accurate for identifying cardiac defect in humans. Adult ECG has achieved several developments in the modern medicine whereas noninvasive fetal ECG (FECG) continues to be a big challenge. Automatic detection of fetal heart rate is vital for monitoring the unborn infant during pregnancy. The non-invasive placement of electrodes over the abdomen region of pregnant women records the ECG signal of both mother and fetus. The arrhythmia affected FECG signals (n = 14) are processed from the physionet database. This raw ECG signal is preprocessed using a Savitzky-Golay filter and symlet wavelet transform to remove the basic noises. Adaptive recursive least square filter is preferably chosen for extracting the FECG, using mother's thorax ECG as a reference. An accurate PQRST wave-shape of the FECG is required for the proper diagnosis of fetal cardiac defects. Using a single channel abdominal ECG signal, the proposed work generates extracted fetal ECG and an automated visual display of fetal heart rate. The presence of arrhythmia and fetal distress can be analyzed through fetal heart rate display and abnormal conductivity of PQRST wave respectively. We have analyzed fetal arrhythmias through ECG extraction and the same was compared with the echocardiograph results given by pediatric cardiologist. This study helps to identify the fetal distress at early gestational age that helps the obstetricians to make quick decisions before or immediately after delivery.

Stroke in pregnancy

Stroke in pregnancy is rare and has a wide range of etiologies and implications on stroke management that differ from nonpregnant individuals. The highest risk of stroke is during the third trimester and puerperium period, where hypertensive disorders of pregnancy occur; however, stroke can occur at any point during pregnancy. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the epidemiology of stroke in pregnancy and then review the specific etiologies of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke as they relate to pregnant women. Finally, we discuss the process of acute stroke evaluation in pregnancy and the management of women after stroke with regard to long-term risk factors, medications, and implications in future pregnancies. Throughout the chapter, we highlight relevant guidelines from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association and key literature on stroke in pregnancy.

Cardiovascular Disease Screening in Pregnancy

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has surpassed the traditional causes of pregnancy-related mortality, including hemorrhage and thromboembolism in the United States. CVD accounts for ~15.5% of all pregnancy-related deaths. Pregnancy is a "natural cardiovascular stress test" for a woman. The physiological changes in the maternal hemodynamics that are geared to accommodate the growing needs of the fetal-placental unit may also lead to symptoms that are indistinguishable from those of CVD, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. It is imperative that an obstetric provider is able to differentiate symptoms of normal pregnancy from those of a pathologic process.

Contribution of estrogen to the pregnancy-induced increase in cardiac automaticity

BACKGROUND

The heart rate progressively increases throughout pregnancy, reaching a maximum in the third trimester. This elevated heart rate is also present in pregnant mice and is associated with accelerated automaticity, higher density of the pacemaker current I_f and changes in Ca²⁺ homeostasis in sinoatrial node (SAN) cells. Strong evidence has also been provided showing that 17β-estradiol (E₂) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) regulate heart rate. Accordingly, we sought to determine whether E₂ levels found in late pregnancy cause the increased cardiac automaticity associated with pregnancy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Voltage- and current-clamp experiments were carried out on SAN cells isolated from female mice lacking estrogen receptor alpha (ERKOα) or beta (ERKOβ) receiving chronic E₂ treatment mimicking late pregnancy concentrations. E₂ treatment significantly increased the action potential rate (284 ± 24 bpm, +E₂ 354 ± 23 bpm, p = 0.040) and the density of I_f (+52%) in SAN cells from ERKOβ mice. However, I_f density remains unchanged in SAN cells from E₂-treated ERKOα mice. Additionally, E₂ also increased I_f density (+67%) in nodal-like human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (N-hiPSC-CM), recapitulating in a human SAN cell model the effect produced in mice. However, the L-type calcium current (I_CaL) and Ca²⁺ transients, examined using N-hiPSC-CM and SAN cells respectively, were not affected by E₂, indicating that other mechanisms contribute to changes observed in these parameters during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

The accelerated SAN automaticity observed in E₂-treated ERKOβ mice is explained by an increased I_f density mediated by ERα, demonstrating that E₂ plays a major role in regulating SAN function during pregnancy.

Cardiac arrhythmias in pregnant women: need for mother and offspring protection

Cardiac arrhythmias are the most common cardiac complication reported in pregnant women with and without structural heart disease (SHD); they are more frequent among women with SHD, such as cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease (CHD). While older studies had indicated supraventricular tachycardia as the most common tachyarrhythmia in pregnancy, more recent data indicate an increase in the frequency of arrhythmias, with atrial fibrillation (AF) emerging as the most frequent arrhythmia in pregnancy, attributed to an increase in maternal age, cardiovascular risk factors and CHD in pregnancy. Importantly, the presence of any tachyarrhythmia during pregnancy may be associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including death. Thus, both the mother and the offspring need to be protected from such consequences. The use of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) depends on clinical presentation and on the presence of underlying SHD, which requires caution as it promotes pro-arrhythmia. In hemodynamically compromised women, electrical cardioversion is successful and safe to both mother and fetus. Use of beta-blockers appears quite safe; however, caution is advised when using other AADs, while no AAD should be used, if at all possible, during the first trimester when organogenesis takes place. Regarding the anticoagulation regimen in patients with AF, warfarin should be substituted with heparin during the first trimester, while direct oral anticoagulants are not indicated given the lack of data in pregnancy. Finally, for refractory arrhythmias, ablation and/or device implantation can be performed with current techniques in pregnant women, when needed, using minimal exposure to radiation. All these issues and relevant current guidelines are herein reviewed.

Gender Differences in Arrhythmias: Focused on Atrial Fibrillation

There are significant differences in clinical presentation and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) between women and men. The primary goal of AF management is to restore sinus rhythm and to prevent various complications, including stroke and heart failure. In many areas of AF, such as prevalence, clinical manifestations, morbidity, risk factors, pathophysiology, treatment strategies, and complications, gender-specific variability is observed and needs to be further addressed by large-scale population researches or randomized clinical trials, which help to promote the customization of AF treatment programs, hence to maximize the success rate of AF therapy in both sexes. This review highlights our current understanding of these gender differences in AF and how these differences affect treatment decisions on AF.

Incidence of atrial fibrillation in pregnancy and clinical significance: A meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia worldwide, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the incidence and maternal/fetal outcomes of AF in pregnancy remain unclear. This study's aims were to investigate the pooled incidence of AF in pregnant women and to assess maternal/fetal outcomes of AF in pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A literature search for studies that reported incidence of AF in pregnancy, was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database from inception through May 2018. Pooled incidence with 95%CI were calculated using a random-effect model. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42018095955).

RESULTS

We identified 7 cohort studies including 301,638 pregnancies. The pooled estimated incidence of AF in pregnancy among women with no known heart disease, and those with structural heart disease was 0.3% (95%CI: 0.01%-40.6%) and 2.2% (95%CI: 0.96%-5.01%), respectively. Among women with known AF, the pooled estimated incidence of recurrent AF in pregnancy was 39.2% (95%CI: 16.9%-67.2%). The pooled estimated incidence of pre-eclampsia and congestive heart failure among pregnant patients with AF was 4.1% (95%CI: 2.1%-7.8%) and 9.6% (95%CI: 5.7%-15.9%), respectively. The pooled estimated incidence of fetal events including premature birth, small for gestational age, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, death was 26.6% (95%CI: 20.4%-34.0%).

CONCLUSION

The overall estimated incidence of AF and recurrent AF during pregnancy is as high as 2.2% and 39.2%, respectively. AF during pregnancy may result in poor maternal and fetal outcomes.

Anaesthetic management of pregnant patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: case reports and review

Heart disease is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Pregnant women with structural, conduction or degenerative cardiac disease who require rhythm control or who are at high risk of sudden cardiac death may carry a cardiac implantable electronic device or may occasionally require the insertion of one during their pregnancy. These women are now encountered more frequently in clinical practice, and it is essential that a multidisciplinary approach, beginning from the early antenatal phase, be adopted in their counselling and management. Contemporary cardiac rhythm control devices are a constantly evolving technology with increasingly sophisticated features; anaesthetists should therefore have an adequate understanding of the principles of their operation and the special considerations for their use, in order to enable their safe management in the peripartum period. Of particular importance is the potential adverse effect of electromagnetic interference, which may cause device malfunction or damage, and the precautions required to reduce this risk. The ultimate goal in the management of this patient subgroup is to minimise the disruption to cardiovascular physiology that may occur near the time of labour and delivery and to control the factors that impact on device integrity and function. We present the ante- and peripartum management of two pregnant women with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, followed by a review and update of the anaesthetic management of parturients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Organisation of care for pregnancy in patients with congenital heart disease

Improvements in surgery have resulted in more women with repaired congenital heart disease (CHD) surviving to adulthood. Women with CHD, who wish to embark on pregnancy require prepregnancy counselling. This consultation should cover several issues such as the long-term prognosis of the mother, fertility and miscarriage rates, recurrence risk of CHD in the baby, drug therapy during pregnancy, estimated maternal risk and outcome, expected fetal outcomes and plans for pregnancy. Prenatal genetic testing is available for those patients with an identified genetic defect using pregestational diagnosis or prenatal diagnosis chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. Centralisation of care is needed for high-risk patients. Finally, currently there are no recommendations addressing the issue of the delivery. It is crucial that a dedicated plan for delivery should be available for all cardiac patients. The maternal mortality in low-income to middle-income countries is 14 times higher than in high-income countries and needs additional aspects and dedicated care.

Atrial tachyarrhythmia in adult congenital heart disease

The adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population continues to grow and most cardiologists, emergency room physicians and family doctors will intermittently come into contact with these patients. Oftentimes this may be in the setting of a presentation with atrial tachyarrhythmia; one of the commonest late complications of ACHD and problem with potentially serious implications. Providing appropriate initial care and ongoing management of atrial tachyarrhythmia in ACHD patients requires a degree of specialist knowledge and an awareness of certain key issues. In ACHD, atrial tachyarrhythmia is usually related to the abnormal anatomy of the underlying heart defect and often occurs as a result of surgical scar or a consequence of residual hemodynamic or electrical disturbances. Arrhythmias significantly increase mortality and morbidity in ACHD and are the most frequent reason for ACHD hospitalization. Intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia and atrial fibrillation are the most prevalent type of arrhythmia in this patient group. In hemodynamically unstable patients, urgent cardioversion is required. Acute management of the stable patient includes anticoagulation, rate control, and electrical or pharmacological cardioversion. In ACHD, rhythm control is the preferred management strategy and can often be achieved. However, in the long-term, medication side-effects can prove problematic. Electrophysiology studies and catheter ablation are important treatments modalities and in certain cases, surgical or percutaneous treatment of the underlying cardiac defect has a role. ACHD patients, especially those with complex CHD, are at increased risk of thromboembolic events and anticoagulation is usually required. Female ACHD patients of child bearing age may wish to pursue pregnancies. The risk of atrial arrhythmias is increased during pregnancy and management of atrial tachyarrhythmia during pregnancy needs specific consideration.

Consensus Document of the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO), Italian Society of Pediatric Cardiology (SICP), and Italian Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetrics (SIGO): pregnancy and congenital heart diseases

The success of cardiac surgery over the past 50 years has increased numbers and median age of survivors with congenital heart disease (CHD). Adults now represent two-thirds of patients with CHD; in the USA alone the number is estimated to exceed 1 million. In this population, many affected women reach reproductive age and wish to have children. While in many CHD patients pregnancy can be accomplished successfully, some special situations with complex anatomy, iatrogenic or residual pathology are associated with an increased risk of severe maternal and fetal complications. Pre-conception counselling allows women to come to truly informed choices. Risk stratification tools can also help high-risk women to eventually renounce to pregnancy and to adopt safe contraception options. Once pregnant, women identified as intermediate or high risk should receive multidisciplinary care involving a cardiologist, an obstetrician and an anesthesiologist with specific expertise in managing this peculiar medical challenge. This document is intended to provide cardiologists working in hospitals where an Obstetrics and Gynecology Department is available with a streamlined and practical tool, useful for them to select the best management strategies to deal with a woman affected by CHD who desires to plan pregnancy or is already pregnant.

Management of Pregnancy in Patients With Complex Congenital Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association

Today, most female children born with congenital heart disease will reach childbearing age. For many women with complex congenital heart disease, carrying a pregnancy carries a moderate to high risk for both the mother and her fetus. Many such women, however, do not have access to adult congenital heart disease tertiary centers with experienced reproductive programs. Therefore, it is important that all practitioners who will be managing these women have current information not only on preconception counseling and diagnostic evaluation to determine maternal and fetal risk but also on how to manage them once they are pregnant and when to refer them to a regional center with expertise in pregnancy management.

Evaluation and Management of Maternal Cardiac Arrhythmias

Pregnant women often complain of palpitations. The differential diagnosis for new-onset palpitations in pregnancy ranges from benign conditions to life-threatening arrhythmias. Maternal arrhythmias can occur in isolation or in the setting of underlying structural heart disease. Optimal management of maternal cardiac arrhythmias includes identification of the specific arrhythmia, diagnosis of comorbid conditions, and appropriate intervention. In general, management of maternal cardiac arrhythmias is similar to that of the general population. Special consideration must be given as to the effects of medications and procedures on both the mother and fetus to optimize outcomes. The importance of multidisciplinary care with cardiology, obstetrics, and anesthesia is emphasized.

Supine Frequent Ventricular Extrasystoles in a Pregnant Woman without Structural Heart Disease

Arrhythmias are the most common cardiac complication during gestational period and may occur in women with or without known structural heart disease. Premature extra beats and sustained tachyarrhythmias are the most common arrhythmias in pregnancy. Symptomatic episodes occur in 20–44% of pregnant women, usually as palpitations, dizziness, or syncope. We searched on Pubmed for ventricular premature complexes (VPC) in pregnant women and found no case reporting increased incidence of this arrhythmia while supine. The aim of this study is to report a case of a pregnant woman without previous structural heart disease that presented a great number of VPC when supine. The arrhythmogenesis increase during pregnancy is multifactorial. In the reported case, we believe that augmented venous return was the most important pathophysiologic process. When the patient changes to left lateral decubitus, there could be a sudden release of the inferior vena cava, causing an abrupt augmentation of venous return to the right heart chambers and increasing the risk of arrhythmias. Obstetricians and primary care physicians should be aware of palpitations and related patient complains while they are asleep or supine.

Zero-fluoroscopy catheter ablation of severe drug-resistant arrhythmia guided by Ensite NavX system during pregnancy: Two case reports and literature review

BACKGROUND

Cardiac arrhythmias can occur during pregnancy. Owing to radiation exposure and other uncertain risks for the mother and fetus, catheter ablation has rarely been performed and is often delayed until the postpartum period. We reported 2 pregnant women who were experiencing severe arrhythmias and were successfully ablated without fluoroscopic guidance. We also carried out a literature review of cases of pregnant women who underwent zero-fluoroscopy ablation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One woman had drug-resistant and poorly tolerated frequent premature ventricular contraction (PVC) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). The other one had persistent and hardly terminated supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) via a right accessory pathway. The 2 patients were successfully underwent zero-fluoroscopy ablation guided by Ensite NavX system. The procedure time was 42 and 71 minutes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Catheter ablation of SVT or PVC/VT in pregnant patients can be safely and effectively performed with a completely zero-fluoroscopy approach guided by the Ensite NavX system. In the case of a drug refractory, life-threatening arrhythmia during pregnancy, catheter ablation may be considered.

Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter in Pregnant Women-A Population-Based Study

Background

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AF) in pregnant women and to examine the impact of AF on maternal and fetal outcomes.

Methods and Results

Between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2013, there were 264 730 qualifying pregnancies (in 210 356 women) in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California hospitals, among whom AF was noted in 157 pregnancies (129 women; 61.3 per 100 000 women, or 59.3 per 100 000 pregnancies). Prevalence of AF (per 100 000 women) in white, black, Asian, and Hispanic women was 111.6, 101.7, 45.0, and 34.3, respectively. Older age was associated with higher odds of having AF. Compared to women <25 years of age, the odds ratio (OR) of AF was 4.1 in women age 30 to 34 years, 4.9 in women age 35 to 39 years, and 5.2 in women age ≥40. Odds of AF episodes were higher during the third trimester compared to the first trimester (OR, 3.2; 95% CI: 1.5–7.7). Among AF patients, adverse maternal cardiac events were rare—2 women developed heart failure and there were no strokes or systemic embolic events and no maternal death. There were 156 live births (99.4% of all pregnancies). Compared to women without AF, fetal birth weights were similar, but rate for neonates’ admission to the neonatal intensive care unit was higher (10.8% vs 5.1%; P=0.003).

Conclusions

AF is rare in pregnant women. Certain factors such as increased maternal age and white race increase the odds of having AF. Major maternal and fetal complications are infrequent, albeit a source of concern.

Arrhythmias in peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a complication of late pregnancy and the early postpartum period characterized by dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Approximately half of women fail to recover left ventricular function. Standard management of heart failure is indicated, with some exceptions for women who are predelivery or breastfeeding. Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias are reported in PPCM, but the frequency of arrhythmias in this condition is not well characterized. Management of PPCM-associated arrhythmias may include antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter ablation, and wearable or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Further research is needed on the prevalence, natural history, and optimal management of arrhythmias in PPCM.