Pregnancy in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease: A Contemporary Challenge

Cardiol Rev. 2017 Nov/Dec;25(6):326-330. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000160.

Abstract

The majority of female patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) survives into childbearing age and require evidence-based counseling regarding pregnancy options. Even though most of them will have an uneventful pregnancy, they may be at high risk of cardiac, obstetric, and fetal complications. Predictive factors for these complications have been previously identified in numerous studies and with the use of specific scores [CARdiac disease in PREGnancy, Zwangerschap bij Aangeboren HARtAfwijkingen, and World Health Organization (WHO) risk stratification.] Importantly, the subtype of CHD is of vital importance for the pregnancy outcome. Considering the above, the multidisciplinary management of these pregnant patients by experts in the field of CHD is imperative.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture / epidemiology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / epidemiology*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / epidemiology
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications / genetics
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology
  • Premature Birth / epidemiology
  • Risk Assessment