title: Pregnancy in heart- and heart/lung recipients can be problematic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The first successful pregnancy after heart transplantation was reported in 1988. Worldwide experience with heart and heart/lung transplanted (H-HLTx) pregnant women is limited. To expand this knowledge the collaborating Nordic thoracic transplant centers wanted to collect information on all such pregnancies from their centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information was retrospectively collected on all H-HLTx pregnancies in the Nordic countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 25 women have had 42 pregnancies and all survived the gestation. Minor complications were increasing incidence of proteinuria, hypertension and diabetes. Major problems were two rejections (early post partum), two severe renal failures, seven pre-eclampsias and 17 abortions. Five women died two to 12 years after delivery. Of 25 live born children, one was born with cancer and one died early after inheriting the mother's cardiomyopathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnancy after H-HLTx can be successful for both mother and child. There are, however, many obstacles which should be addressed. Respecting the couple's desire for children the attitude should be carefully, not too optimistic, after proper pre-pregnant information and counseling. Delivery should preferably take place at the transplant center.
authors: National Resource Centre for Women's Health, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. mestense@ous-hf.no
authors: Mette
authors: M
authors: Estensen
authors: Einar
authors: E
authors: Gude
authors: Bjorn
authors: B
authors: Ekmehag
authors: Jyri
authors: J
authors: Lommi
authors: Oystein
authors: O
authors: Bjortuft
authors: Svend
authors: S
authors: Mortensen
authors: Ulla M
authors: UM
authors: Nystrom
authors: Svein
authors: S
authors: Simonsen
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D016041:Heart-Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D050498:Live Birth; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult