Which condition would be considered Group I under WHO cardiovascular risk?

Which condition would be considered Group I under WHO cardiovascular risk?

• A. Isolated, ectopic beats
• B. Most arrhythmias
• C. Repaired tetralogy of Fallot
• D. Unrepaired AST

Answer: (A)

Isolated ectopic beats are considered Group I because they are benign, with no impact on cardiac output or pregnancy risk. Group I includes conditions where pregnancy does not add significant maternal mortality or morbidity and where the heart functions normally or near normally. Isolated ectopy fits this: it’s a common, symptom-free arrhythmia that doesn’t cause hemodynamic compromise, so routine obstetric care is typically sufficient. The other options involve more concerning conditions. Widespread arrhythmias or symptomatic/untreated rhythm disturbances carry higher risk and wouldn’t be classified as Group I. An unrepaired aortic stenosis can limit cardiac output during pregnancy, elevating risk, and unrepaired significant lesions like this fall into higher groups. Repaired tetralogy of Fallot can have residual issues or reduced function that also elevates risk above Group I.

Isolated ectopic beats are considered Group I because they are benign, with no impact on cardiac output or pregnancy risk. Group I includes conditions where pregnancy does not add significant maternal mortality or morbidity and where the heart functions normally or near normally. Isolated ectopy fits this: it’s a common, symptom-free arrhythmia that doesn’t cause hemodynamic compromise, so routine obstetric care is typically sufficient.

The other options involve more concerning conditions. Widespread arrhythmias or symptomatic/untreated rhythm disturbances carry higher risk and wouldn’t be classified as Group I. An unrepaired aortic stenosis can limit cardiac output during pregnancy, elevating risk, and unrepaired significant lesions like this fall into higher groups. Repaired tetralogy of Fallot can have residual issues or reduced function that also elevates risk above Group I.