Pregnancy Outcomes in Women After Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries: Results From ROPAC (Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac Disease) of the European Society of Cardiology EURObservational Research Programme

Abstract

Background In the past 3 decades, the arterial switch procedure has replaced the atrial switch procedure as treatment of choice for transposition of the great arteries. Although survival is superior after the arterial switch procedure, data on pregnancy outcomes are scarce and transposition of the great arteries after arterial switch is not yet included in the modified World Health Organization classification of maternal cardiovascular risk. Methods and Results The ROPAC (Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac disease) is an international prospective registry of pregnant women with cardiac disease, part of the European Society of Cardiology EURObservational Research Programme. Pregnancy outcomes in all women after an arterial switch procedure for transposition of the great arteries are described. The primary end point was a major adverse cardiovascular event, defined as combined end point of maternal death, supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias requiring treatment, heart failure, aortic dissection, endocarditis, ischemic coronary events, and thromboembolic events. Altogether, 41 pregnant women (mean age, 26.7±3.9 years) were included, and there was no maternal mortality. A major adverse cardiovascular event occurred in 2 women (4.9%): heart failure in one (2.4%) and ventricular tachycardia in another (2.4%). One woman experienced fetal loss, whereas no neonatal mortality was observed. Conclusions Women after an arterial switch procedure for transposition of the great arteries tolerate pregnancy well, with a favorable maternal and fetal outcome. During counseling, most women should be reassured that the risk of pregnancy is low. Classification as modified World Health Organization risk class II seems appropriate.

Keywords: arterial switch operation; pregnancy and cardiac disease; pregnancy outcomes; transposition of the great arteries.

Figure 1. Echocardiographic prepregnancy and postpartum ventricular systolic function (A and B) and aortic valve function (C) in the women in whom serial echocardiographic data were available.

The postpartum echocardiogram was performed at a mean of 8.2 months postpartum (SD, 1.2 months), with a range of 1 to 15 months.

Figure 2. Pregnancy outcomes in women after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

VSD indicates ventricular septal defect.

Figure 3. Rate of adverse cardiovascular events in comparison to previously published reports.

ROPAC indicates Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac disease.