Key result
Aortocaval compression in a pregnant woman with atypical atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia likely compromised venous return and cardiac output, precipitating ventricular fibrillation arrest.
Why the study?
Cardiac arrhythmias are common and benign in pregnancy, but haemodynamic instability and loss of cardiac output can occur when tachyarrhythmias are accompanied by aortocaval compression.
Case Report (n=1)
Aortocaval compression in pregnancy can precipitate hemodynamic collapse and ventricular fibrillation in the setting of an otherwise benign supraventricular tachycardia like AVNRT.
May warrant vigilance for aortocaval compression in pregnant SVT patients; single case leaves open generalizability and preventive protocols.
Cardiac arrhythmias are common and often benign in pregnancy. However, haemodynamic instability can occur when tachyarrhythmias are accompanied by aortocaval compression, which can lead to loss of cardiac output. We present an atypical case of a pregnant woman with a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, which degenerated into ventricular fibrillation arrest while supine due to aortocaval compression. Inducible atypical atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia was subsequently detected on electrophysiological study and presumed to be the most likely initial supraventricular tachyarrhythmia.
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Prashar et al. (2022) conducted a case report in Supraventricular tachycardia degenerating into ventricular fibrillation (n=1). Aortocaval compression was evaluated on Ventricular fibrillation arrest. Aortocaval compression in a pregnant woman with atypical atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia likely compromised venous return and cardiac output, precipitating ventricular fibrillation arrest.
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