Congenital Complete Heart Block Presenting in Pregnancy: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT

Congenital complete heart block presenting for the first time in pregnancy is a rare occurrence posing a therapeutic challenge. We present a case of unpaced preexisting congenital complete heart block in pregnancy diagnosed for the first time during routine prenatal care at her early weeks of gestation. Our patient was asymptomatic and haemodynamically stable and was managed conservatively with a multidisciplinary term approach. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was present and she was delivered by ceasarean section at term for foetal distress with IUGR. Prophylactic temporary pacing was done before surgery and was weaned off in the early postpartum period. When a multidisciplinary approach is used both maternal and neonatal outcome are favorable. We review the literature in an attempt to discuss the therapeutic policy for such patients.