Congenital heart disease in pregnancy.
Congenital heart disease has become more prevalent in women of childbearing age and represents about 75% of the heart disease seen in pregnancy. Close monitoring by both obstetricians and cardiologists is advisable for women with complex heart disease, and pregnancy should still be considered contraindicated in several types of congenital heart disease. Women should also be advised of the risk that their offspring may be affected. Women at increased risk for a cardiac event in pregnancy include those with a prior cardiac event or arrhythmia, NYHA functional class > II or cyanosis, left heart obstruction, and systemic ventricular dysfunction. In the absence of adverse predictors, however, women with congenital heart disease can be assured that pregnancy does not pose a significant risk to their health.
Davies
Gregory A L
GAL
Professor and Chair, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's University, Kingston ON.
Herbert
William N P
WNP
William Norman Thornton Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA.
D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000401:mortality*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors