Pregnancy in patients after homograft cardiac valve replacement

Thirteen pregnancies in ten patients with homograft cardiac valves resulted in 11 healthy infants, one spontaneous abortion, one elective termination of pregnancy, and the stillbirth of one member of a twin pregnancy. Two forceps deliveries and three cesarean sections were performed and routine antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of delivery was utilized to prevent infective endocarditis in all patients. No hemorrhagic or teratogenic complications were observed, and this was considered directly related to the fact that anticoagulant therapy was rendered unnecessary with the homograft valve--a distinct advantage. A more permissive policy of allowing pregnancy in young women with homograft cardiac valves is suggested by the satisfactory outcome of the pregnancies reported here.