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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
07:27
Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Pregnancy after cardiac transplantation
S A Laifer1, C J Yeagley, J M Armitage
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.
American Journal of Perinatology
|May 1, 1994
Summary
A heart transplant recipient successfully completed pregnancy and delivered a healthy infant. This case highlights the feasibility of pregnancy after heart transplantation with appropriate immunosuppression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Heart transplantation is a life-saving procedure for end-stage heart failure.
- Immunosuppression is crucial for graft survival post-transplantation.
- Pregnancy in transplant recipients presents unique challenges.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old woman, status post heart transplantation for ischemic cardiomyopathy, conceived.
- She was maintained on FK506 (tacrolimus) immunosuppression without rejection or infection.
- Pregnancy was complicated by preeclampsia at 33 weeks' gestation.
Findings:
- The patient delivered a healthy female infant weighing 2093g.
- The neonate experienced only mild and transient complications.
- The pregnancy course and outcome were favorable, aligning with existing literature.
Implications:
- Successful pregnancy is achievable in heart transplant recipients.
- Careful management of immunosuppression and potential pregnancy complications is vital.
- This case supports the safety of pregnancy in select heart transplant patients.
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