The hemodynamic effects of severe mitral stenosis and pulmonary hypertension during labor and delivery.

Pregnancy represents a hyperdynamic state characterized by increased cardiac output, blood volume, and oxygen consumption. Valvular heart disease may blunt this response and, especially when associated with pulmonary hypertension, carries a high mortality. We report the hemodynamic variables as measured through the completion of labor, delivery and postpartum period in a woman with severe mitral stenosis and pulmonary hypertension.