Cardiovascular drugs in pregnancy.

Cardiovascular drugs are often used in pregnancy for the treatment of maternal and fetal conditions. The complex physiologic changes occurring during pregnancy may significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of many drugs and, consequently, the toxicity and therapeutic response. Of special concern are the effects of maternal therapy on the fetus and the undesired translactal passage of drugs to newborns. Although the body of information regarding cardiovascular therapy in pregnancy is incomplete, some of the available data are summarized in this article.