Pregnancy complicated by maternal heart disease - abstract

ABSTRACT

Forty pregnancies, complicated by maternal heart disease, from 1984 to 1986 were reviewed. Sixty-two per cent of rheumatic and 38 percent of congenital heart disease. There were no maternal nor perinatal deaths although 17 percent of the patients had cardiac failure. Heart failure occurred only in patients with acquired valvular defects, particularly mitral stenosis. Infective endocarditis did not occur. Therapeutic abortion was not practical and a conservative approach was adopted to obstetrical intervention and in drug therapy. This study reflects the remarkably good maternal and foetal prognosis in pregnancies complicated by heart disease. Obstetrical complications were minimal, spontaneous abortion rate was not higher than in non-cardiac mothers, and general anaesthesia can be used for patients undergoing either elective or emergency Caesarean Sections (AU)