Congenital long QT syndrome in the pregnant women: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to summarize the previous management of pregnant women with LQTS, as well as to present the current guidelines in this area. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a systematic search in multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Medline/Embase between 1984 and 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Original articles were eligible if they included pregnant patients suffering from congenital long QT syndrome with the three most common types 1-3. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: The subject-related articles were processed according to Preferred Reporting Items in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two authors independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. A total of 15 publications were included in the final report. In the literature, 18 cases of long QT syndrome with the most common types in pregnant women were included, for a final total of 20 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the advances in medicine there is a lack of studies that can determine unequivocally, the only right way to manage pregnant women suffering from long QT syndrome. The question remains - does cesarean section objectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in such cases? There is a strong need for further research in this scientific field, especially to create opportunities to reduce the performance of unjustified cesarean sections and thus improve mother and neonatal outcomes. It is believed that the actual incidence of LQTS is significantly higher than current statistics report, therefore, it is so vital to standardize the management of this group of patients.