Women with congenital heart disease: long-term outcomes after pregnancy

Pregnancy in women with congenital cardiac disease is more frequent due to an increased lifespan and improved health situations. However, the long-term outcomes in these women are not known.

We analysed 267 consecutive pregnant women with congenital heart defects who were seen at the German Heart Centre Berlin. This retrospective study included analysis of long-term follow-up data after pregnancy and standard maternal cardiac, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. The long-term data (n = 103) were acquired with a self-assessment questionnaire from each patient. The main primary outcomes of the study included functional class, health, work capability and physical activity.

The median age of the patients at delivery was 27 years (range 17-43 years). The median follow-up of all patients was 11 years (range 1-49 years). Twenty-four percent exhibited complex cardiac defects. Primary long-term outcomes included good health in 61 % of the patients. Approximately 68 % worked, and 76 % engaged in physical activity. Thirty-three percent of the women who answered the questionnaire demonstrated a decrease in functional class during pregnancy, but more than two-thirds of these patients subsequently improved. Secondary short-term outcomes included a 4 % miscarriage rate and a 4 % induced abortion rate. The maternal cardiac data revealed that 30 % of the patients lost at least one functional class during pregnancy. Onset arrhythmias were observed in 12 % of the patients. The most prevalent neonatal complication was premature birth, which was present in 12 % of the neonates.

Two-thirds of the patients tolerated pregnancy without cardiovascular complications. Most patients displayed good long-term health, work capability and physical activity outcomes. Further prospective controlled studies are necessary to confirm these results and safely advise pregnant women.