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Pregnancy complications in women with heart disease

Thida Thanajiraprapa1, Vorapong Phupong

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand.

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
|November 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pregnancy in women with heart disease, particularly rheumatic heart disease, is still common. Preterm delivery and congestive heart failure were the most frequent complications observed in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Obstetrics
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • Heart disease in pregnancy presents significant risks.
  • Understanding specific complications is crucial for improved maternal and fetal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and analyze pregnancy complications in women with pre-existing heart disease.
  • To determine the most prevalent types of heart disease and associated complications during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study was conducted.
  • Data from 193 pregnant women with heart disease delivered between 1997 and 2006 at a university hospital were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Rheumatic heart disease (68.9%) was the most common cardiac condition.
  • Obstetric complications included preterm delivery (11.4%) and gestational diabetes (1%).
  • Congestive heart failure (5.7%) was the most frequent cardiac complication, with 2.1% maternal mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Rheumatic heart disease remains the predominant cardiac condition in pregnant women.
  • Preterm delivery is the most common obstetric complication.
  • Congestive heart failure is the leading cardiac complication, highlighting the need for vigilant cardiac monitoring during pregnancy.
Abstract

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