Preterm labor and accidental hemorrhage after disopyramide therapy in pregnancy. A case report.

BACKGROUND

Treatment of arrhythmias during pregnancy is complicated by concerns about the safety of antiarrhythmic therapy. This is the first case report of preterm labor and abruptio placentae following the administration of disopyramide during pregnancy.

CASE

A 26-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 1, was diagnosed as having Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome during the third trimester of pregnancy. Recurrent episodes of supra-ventricular tachycardia were refractory to medical therapy and required repeated direct current cardioversion. Administration of disopyramide led to the initiation of painful uterine contractions and accidental hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Caution must be exercised during the use of disopyramide during pregnancy, and intensive monitoring should be instituted to avoid adverse maternal and fetal effects.