Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease carries increased risks of maternal and fetal complications, which are determined by lesion severity, cyanosis, functional class, and anticoagulation.
This review highlights the importance of pre-pregnancy counseling and specialized management for women with congenital heart disease to mitigate maternal and fetal complications.
Increasing numbers of women with complex congenital heart disease are reaching childbearing age. Pregnancy is a major issue in the management of adult congenital heart disease. Cardiac disease is one of the most common causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Complications, such as growth retardation, preterm and premature birth and even fetal and neonatal mortality, are more frequent among children of women with congenital heart disease. The risk of complications is determined by the severity of the cardiac lesion, the presence of cyanosis, the maternal functional class and the use of anticoagulation. However, the pathophysiology of these complications is not completely understood and may be related to a diminished increase in cardiac output and/or endothelial dysfunction. The management of pregnant cardiac patients is based on limited clinical information. This article reviews pre-pregnancy counseling and management during pregnancy in patients with congenital heart disease.
Karamermer et al. (Sat,) conducted a review in Adult congenital heart disease and pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy counseling and management was evaluated. Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease carries increased risks of maternal and fetal complications, which are determined by lesion severity, cyanosis, functional class, and anticoagulation.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: