Fetal tachycardia in pregnancy

Fetal tachycardia during pregnancy is a pathological condition that is dangerous for both the woman and the future baby. Let's consider the causes, symptoms, treatment methods and prognosis of this pathological condition.

Tachycardia is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by a rapid heartbeat that exceeds the norm. This condition occurs in people of different ages, and in some cases even in the fetus in the womb. This pathology is characterized by the contraction of the embryonic heart within 170-220 beats per minute. The disease can appear due to increased stress on the woman's nervous system, due to compression of organs caused by the development of the embryo, or due to changes in hormonal levels.

That is why it is very important to monitor the sinus rhythm of the heart during pregnancy. If an increased heartbeat is observed at rest, this indicates a disorder of the sinus section, which forms conductive impulses. The pregnant woman experiences an increased heartbeat, but the body temperature remains within normal limits. Tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy can be both sinus and caused by various tachyarrhythmias.

Causes of tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy

The reasons depend on both external and internal irritants and pathologies, let's consider the main ones:

• Taking certain medications.
• Intrauterine infection in the embryo.
• Intrauterine hypoxia.
• Fetal anemia.
• Chromosomal abnormalities (Patau syndrome, trisomy 13).
• Hyperthyroidism and other endocrine disorders.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
• Pathologies of the respiratory system.
• Disturbances of water and electrolyte balance due to toxicosis.
• Unbalanced nutrition of a pregnant woman, lack of vitamins and nutrients.

Fetal tachycardia may be caused by maternal blood loss or medication. Causes that directly affect the embryo developing in the womb include:

• Intrauterine infection or hypoxia.
• Anemia.
• Chromosomal abnormalities.

The main causes of sinus tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy:

• Increased stress on the heart due to providing blood flow to the embryo.
• Cardiovascular pathologies and cardiac compression.
• Increased metabolism and fetal development.

According to medical opinion, mild supraventricular tachyarrhythmia during pregnancy is normal. Attacks of increased heart rate may occur unexpectedly and disappear just as unexpectedly. The woman's task is to remain calm and not worry about the increased activity of the cardiovascular system. Do not forget that the woman's heart works for two, so the heart rate is more intense. Expressed sinus tachycardia is observed in the last trimester of pregnancy, when the embryo is almost formed. Increased heart rate is explained by the baby's intensive gas exchange.

In order to diagnose tachyarrhythmia in the fetus, it is necessary to conduct echocardiography, ultrasound and radiographic examination. As a rule, the baby's heart rate returns to normal in the first year of life. If the rapid heartbeat does not go away, then the child undergoes transplacental administration of antiarrhythmic drugs.

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Signs of tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy

The signs of this pathology look like an increased heartbeat in a woman. Increased heartbeat means a rhythm of more than 120 beats per minute in a woman, in an embryo the heart rate reaches 170-220 beats. Tachyarrhythmia may indicate the initial stages of hypoxia, that is, oxygen starvation of the body.

• One of the primary forms is atrial ectopic tachycardia. Pathological foci appear in the atrium or pulmonary veins. As a rule, the main symptom is attacks of nausea and cardiovascular disorders.
• The pathology may be accompanied by long attacks and be regular. Therefore, the pregnant woman's task is to minimize physical activity and stress. At the first signs, it is necessary to relax, but still seek medical help.
• Sinus tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy is considered a separate pathology. That is, a clinical symptom that indicates problems in the body, mainly the heart. Ignoring increased heart rate can cause a heart defect in the child.

In case of pathology caused by disorders in the work of the heart, the pregnant woman is prescribed sedatives and means for saturating the body with catalytic ions of phosphorus, potassium or calcium. In the absence of proper treatment, the disease leads to anxiety, sleep disorders and weakening of the protective properties of the immune system and the body. Another sign of tachycardia during pregnancy is numbness of different parts of the body in a woman, chest pain, anxiety. In some cases, a sharp decline in strength and general weakness are also a symptom of tachyarrhythmia.

Diagnosis of tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy

Diagnosis of tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy is carried out in the presence of signs of the disease. To identify abnormalities in the baby's heart rhythm, ultrasound, echocardiography of the embryo and radiographic diagnostics are used. Ultrasound is necessary to identify defects and complications in the development of the fetus, for example, hydrocele.

To detect tachycardia, doctors conduct a Doppler study, as this is the best method for analyzing the condition of the embryo. The study allows you to evaluate the contraction of the atria and ventricles and identify blood movements in the heart. Differential diagnostics is mandatory, which is based on several types of tachyarrhythmia that occur in the fetus.

• Atrial fibrillation

With this form of pathology, there are about 400 beats per minute. Such heartbeat is regular and is associated with atrioventricular block. With other types of the disease, the atrial rhythm of the embryo is irregular, and the heart rate can be from 180 to 250 beats per minute.

• Supraventricular reentrant tachycardia

Occurs due to fetal atrial extrasystole. Most often, this condition is diagnosed at 24-33 weeks of pregnancy. If supraventricular reciprocal tachycardia does not switch to sinus rhythm, then the fetal heartbeat returns to normal. If this form occurs simultaneously with bradycardia, then the embryo has long QT syndrome, and in some cases, inflammatory foci are detected.

• Ectopic tachycardia

It is formed in different parts of the atria, most often appears in the lateral wall of the atrium, on the right or in its appendage. The pathology is accompanied by a focus of trigger tachycardia activity, which is located outside the node. The atrioventricular node is passive. A similar condition is observed with atrial chaotic tachyarrhythmia or ventricular tachycardia.

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Treatment of tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy

Treatment of tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy depends on the form of the pathological condition, the gestational age, and other characteristics of the mother and the unborn child. Most cases of pathology are not permanent, so they do not require special treatment. If the pathology is not permanent, the doctor prescribes monitoring the condition of the woman and the embryo. To do this, measure the heart rate in the hospital or at home using a handheld Doppler monitor. Measurements must be taken twice a day.

If tachyarrhythmia is complicated by dysfunction of the valve or heart muscle, the woman is prescribed a number of drugs to even out the fetus's heart rhythm. Please note that it is prohibited to take such drugs on your own, as they can put excessive strain on the child's heart and cause its death. Treatment depends entirely on the form of pathology; let's consider the main types of tachycardia and treatment methods.

• For the treatment of ventricular polymorphic tachycardia, magnesium, propranolol, and lidocaine preparations are used. The drugs are administered intravenously or taken orally.
• In case of ventricular tachycardia due to long QT syndrome, treatment is carried out only in a hospital setting and with special caution. This is explained by the fact that some drugs contribute to prolongation of the interval, which causes arrhythmia.
• If fetal tachycardia is accompanied by a heart rate of over 220 beats, the woman is prescribed Sotalol or Amiodarone. Flecainide is used with particular caution, since in case of ventricular dysfunction it can cause cardiac arrest and death of the embryo.
• If myocarditis is suspected, the doctor prescribes a course of Dexamethasone to treat rapid heartbeat. The treatment lasts from 7 to 14 days.

Drug treatment is effective in supraventricular pathology. With a properly composed treatment regimen, a positive therapeutic effect is observed in 90% of cases. Another method of treating increased heart rate is the use of beta-blockers. But when using these drugs, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the active substances poorly penetrate the placenta, which negatively affects the effectiveness of therapy.

Since tachycardia attacks can suddenly appear and disappear during pregnancy, every expectant mother should know how to cope with this pathology. The main treatment is carried out with medication as prescribed by a doctor, but a couple of simple recommendations will help you cope with an attack of tachyarrhythmia on your own.

• At the first signs of increased heart rate, you need to sit or lie down. This will allow the body to relax and the heart rate will decrease.
• If you can't lie down, try to relax, inhale deeply and exhale slowly. This will also help eliminate the attack of tachycardia.
• Avoid stressful situations, panic and anxiety. Stay calm and don't get nervous. If tachyarrhythmia attacks are prolonged, it is recommended to do an ECG.

Prevention of fetal tachycardia during pregnancy

Prevention of tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy should be carried out already at the stage of planning the child. The task of the expectant mother is to carefully monitor her health, give up bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse), treat existing diseases and prevent chronic damage to the body. The health of the future child completely depends on the health of the mother. An important fact is an active lifestyle and a positive emotional state.

During pregnancy, it is necessary to regularly visit a doctor, undergo routine examinations and follow all medical prescriptions. The expectant mother should remember that her responsibility is doubled, since now, in addition to her health and life, she is responsible for the life of the future child. The danger of pregnancy is that it is during this period that diseases can appear, the existence of which the woman did not know before. Such diseases include tachyarrhythmia and heart defects. This is why it is very important to carry out prevention of possible pathologies.

To prevent attacks of rapid heartbeat during pregnancy, a woman may be prescribed herbal sedatives that normalize the heart rhythm. A measured, calm lifestyle is of no small importance. The expectant mother is contraindicated to be nervous, worry and overexert herself. Instead, it is necessary to walk more often in the fresh air, do special gymnastics and eat right.

Nutrition plays a decisive role in the prevention of this pathological condition. To prevent relapses of increased heart rate, a woman is recommended to:

• Avoid eating a lot of fatty and sweet foods. Improper nutrition leads to rapid weight gain, which negatively affects the cardiovascular system.
• Every day, the diet during pregnancy should include greens, vegetables, fruits and low-calorie dairy products.
• It is necessary to give up coffee, alcoholic drinks and nicotine during pregnancy. Since this has a negative effect not only on the mother's body, but also on the health of the future child.
• Do not forget about vitamin and mineral complexes, which are irreplaceable during pregnancy. Vitamins should be taken only with the permission of a doctor. If there are no contraindications, then the expectant mother is recommended to engage in light physical activity and go to the pool.

Prognosis of fetal tachycardia during pregnancy

The prognosis of tachycardia in the fetus during pregnancy depends on many factors. The outcome of the pathology depends on its form, the period at which it arose, the general course of pregnancy, and the characteristics of the mother and child. In most cases, tachyarrhythmia has a positive prognosis. A good outcome is also predicted for sinus tachyarrhythmia of the embryo, in which the baby's heart rate normalizes during the first year of life.

• If the rapid heartbeat requires treatment, then transplacental administration of antiarrhythmic drugs is used to eliminate tachycardia in the fetus.
• The chances of survival of a child with abnormally rapid heartbeat depend on the state of the mother's body and monitoring of the level of drugs contained in the umbilical cord. Drug treatment of rapid heartbeat is also effective for the treatment of an embryo with hydrops caused by tachyarrhythmia.
• The prognosis also depends on the drugs used for treatment, i.e. their effect on the body. If the treatment regimen is composed correctly and the dosage of drugs is selected correctly, then there are no side effects. But some drugs can cause the death of the fetus. Such drugs include: Sotalol and Flecainide.

Fetal tachycardia during pregnancy largely depends on early diagnosis, as this is a guarantee of a positive prognosis. Therefore, the task of every pregnant woman is not to neglect routine examinations, monitor her health, avoid stressful situations and lead a healthy lifestyle.