Pregnancy in patients with a porcine valve bioprosthesis

Seven patients who became pregnant after valve replacement with a Hancock bioprosthesis were followed up during 8 pregnancies. Six had undergone isolated mitral valve replacement, and 1 had mitral and aortic valve replacement. Their age at the time of operation ranged from 14 to 31 years (average 24); delivery occurred 21 to 88 months (average 51.3) after valve replacement. All women were in sinus rhythm at the time of gestation, and administration of oral anticoagulants was avoided in all. No embolic episodes occurred either after operation or during pregnancy, labor, or puerperium. The only major complication during pregnancy was cardiac failure in 1 patient, associated with onset of atrial fibrillation. Four women had vaginal delivery and 3 required cesarean section. All but 1 delivered a normal, healthy baby. One premature infant died soon after birth because of respiratory distress. No maternal or fetal hemorrhagic complications were observed. One patient died 3 months after delivery in severe heart failure caused by diffuse calcification of both mitral and aortic xenografts. Another women underwent successful reoperation soon after the second pregnancy because of calcific stenosis of the mitral porcine valve. It is concluded that (1) bioprosthetic valves can be considered the most suitable devices employed in women of childbearing age because anticoagulants can be avoided, therefore eliminating the risks related to inappropriate administration of oral anticoagulants as well as the hazards associated with the potential teratogenic effect of coumarin drugs; and (2) pregnancy might favor calcification of porcine heterografts, leading to bioprosthetic failure. Until further data are available to support this suspicion, close clinical and echocardiographic follow-up study of these patients is recommended after pregnancy.