[Congenital heart diseases and pregnancy (author's transl)]

The maternal foetal prognosis was studied on the basis of data which had been recorded from 56 pregnancies or deliveries of 46 women with congenital cardiac defects. Functional changes of circulation, such as hypoxia, pressure and volume overload, and conduction disorders, were assessed, with reference being made to the classification of the American Heart Association (AHA). In that context, the patients were repeatedly examined during pregnancy and followed up further through two years after delivery. --Maternal prognosis in pregnancy and, consequently, oxidation were found to depend on the kind of congenital heart disease. Reference is made to the favourable role played by cardiac surgery in preventing cardiac complications. Premature birth and retarded foetal development have occurred repeatedly, depending on severity of a congenital heart disease. Enzymological-histological tests are likely to suggest that such consequences were primarily attributable to strongly impaired placental energy production on account of inadequate haemodynamic conditions of the mother. --Proper prognostication of pregnancy will depend for high standards on adequate supervision of delivery, prophylactic use of caesarean section, individual assessment of any single case, and efficient teamwork of obstetricians and cardiologists.