Drugs in pregnancy: Implications for a cardiologist.

The safe use of drugs during pregnancy depends on several factors including the time of application, the type of drug and its dose. In the present review, the effect of certain therapeutic drugs on pregnancy is first described using general principles, followed by a more focused discussion on the type of adverse effects related to specific cardiovascular drugs used during pregnancy. In particular, adverse events related to the use of antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulants are described, followed by the characterization of congenital cardiovascular defects resulting from the use of various drugs during pregnancy. Finally, various methods used to obtain information on the topic are described, and the need for carefully designed clinical trials is stressed.