Congenital aortic stenosis and pregnancy--a reappraisal

This study was performed to determine the maternal and fetal outcome in pregnant patients with congenital aortic stenosis without previous valvular replacement.

A retrospective review of 25 pregnancies in 13 patients delivered at our centers from September 1976 to September 1992 was undertaken.

Five (38%) patients had associated congenital heart lesions, three (23%) had severe stenosis (echocardiographically estimated valve area < or = 0.7 cm2), two had prior open aortic valve commissurotomy, and one had balloon valvuloplasty during pregnancy. There were no maternal deaths. Of the 25 pregnancies, five (20%) resulted in therapeutic abortions. There was no perinatal mortality, preterm labor, or increased incidence of pregnancy complications or fetal growth retardation in the remaining 20 pregnancies. One infant (5%) had congenital heart disease.

Pregnancy outcome is generally satisfactory in patients with congenital aortic stenosis.