Editorial
Pregnancy in women with congenital heart defects: what are the risks?
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
Increasing numbers of people with congenital heart defects (CHD) are surviving into adulthood as a result of advances in paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery. As this patient group enters adulthood, reproductive issues and recurrence risks become a new and crucial focus for patients, partners, and caregivers.
Maternal and fetal riskThe pregnancy related changes in intravascular volume,
cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance may result in maternal or fetal deterioration in women with CHD. Pregnancy in women with CHD,
not complicated by Eisenmenger syndrome, is associated with low
mortality.1-3 However, they continue to be at risk for
other cardiac complications such as arrhythmia, heart failure, or
stroke. Poor maternal functional class, cyanosis, and the presence of significant aortic stenosis have been repeatedly mentioned as potential
risk factors for maternal cardiac deterioration.1-5 Maternal cyanosis is also a risk factor for fetal and neonatal complications.1-3 5 One recent study reported a 12%
likelihood
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