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. 2008 May;105(19):347-54.
doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0347. Epub 2008 May 9.

Congenital heart disease in pregnancy

Anselm Uebing, Michael A Gatzoulis, Constantin von Kaisenberg, Hans-Heiner Kramer, Alexander Strauss

Congenital heart disease in pregnancy

Anselm Uebing et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008 May.

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy, birth, and the puerperium are associated with significant physiological changes and adaptations in the cardiovascular system, which pose a significant risk to pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD). Thanks to advances in pediatric cardiac surgery and cardiology the majority of children with CHD survive to adulthood, and an increasing number eventually become pregnant. In fact, cardiac disease - mostly congenital - is now a leading cause of maternal death in western industrialized countries.

Methods: Selective literature review.

Results and discussion: Optimal care of women with CHD before, during, and after pregnancy requires a multidisciplinary team including obstetricians, cardiologists, and anaesthetists. Successful pregnancy at a minimum risk is feasible for most women with CHD when appropriate counseling and optimal care are provided.

Keywords: congenital heart disease; maternity; multidisciplinary care.

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Figure
Algorithm for anticoagulation in pregnancy. UFH, unfractionated heparin; LMWH, low molecular weight heparin (with kind permission of BMJ Publishing Group, Ltd.)
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