Adult congenital heart disease and pregnancy

The role of maternal hormones in regulating autonomic functions during pregnancy

Offspring development relies on numerous physiological changes that occur in a mother's body, with hormones driving many of these adaptations. Amongst these, the physiological functions controlled by the autonomic nervous system are required for the mother to survive and are adjusted to meet the demands of the growing foetus and to ensure a successful birth. The hormones oestrogen, progesterone, and lactogenic hormones rise significantly during pregnancy, suggesting they may also play a role in regulating the maternal adaptations linked to autonomic nervous system functions, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and thermoregulatory functions. Indeed, expression of pregnancy hormone receptors spans multiple brain regions known to regulate these physiological functions. This review examines how respiratory, cardiovascular, and thermoregulatory functions are controlled by these pregnancy hormones by focusing on their action on central nervous system circuits. Inadequate adaptations in these systems during pregnancy can give rise to several pregnancy complications, highlighting the importance in understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of these changes and potentially identifying ways to treat pregnancy-associated afflictions using hormones.

Pregnancy outcomes in patients with structural heart disease: a single center experience

Background

In women, pregnancy is a period of relatively drastic hemodynamic change in a short period of time. Most pregnant women adapt well to these gradual hemodynamic changes. However, in women with congenital heart disease or other structural heart disease, adaptation to theses sudden hemodynamic changes is difficult, and heart failure or arrhythmia can get aggravated. This study shares our experiences on the outcomes of pregnancy in patients with structural heart disease.

Methods

From January 2007 to December 2016, we reviewed the medical records of all pregnant women with structural heart disease who received obstetric care at the Sejong General Hospital.

Results

During the study period, 103 pregnancies were observed in 79 women with structural heart disease. Of the 103 pregnancies, 55 were primiparous and 48 were multiparous. Echocardiography performed before pregnancy revealed that 52 patients had moderate to severe valvular regurgitation and 38 patients had moderate to severe valvular stenosis; 22 patients had mechanical valves and 5 patients had pulmonary hypertension. Overall, there were 9 maternal cardiac events, 7 obstetric events and 19 neonatal events. Pulmonary embolic events occurred only in 1 case; 77 deliveries were made, and 26 pregnancies did not last. Among 77 deliveries, 55 patients delivered by cesarean section (C/S) (71.43%). C/S in 16 of 55 patients was performed due to the maternal hemodynamic risk.

Conclusions

Overall complications associated with pregnancy in women with structural heart disease were very high at 28.16%. However, it is hoped that maternal and neonatal outcomes will be improved through careful observation and preparedness for anticipated complications.

Good at heart: Developing a tertiary perinatal cardiac service; the first eight years of experience

BACKGROUND

Maternal cardiac disease is the most common cause of indirect maternal death, and women with pre-existing cardiac disease have complex medical, obstetric and anaesthetic requirements. Our hospital commenced a multidisciplinary perinatal cardiac service in 2009 to optimise outcomes in women with cardiac disease.

AIM

To assess the maternal and perinatal outcomes of women referred to the clinic to evaluate clinical practice and inform future service provision.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a single-centre retrospective study of women referred to the perinatal cardiac service between 2009-2016. Data collected included: demographic details; cardiac diagnosis; pregnancy outcomes, including anaesthetic and delivery complications, and admission to intensive care unit (ICU)/high dependency unit (HDU).

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-two women were referred for care in 165 pregnancies. Congenital heart disease was the most common indication for referral (35%), followed by maternal cardiac arrhythmia (26%) and valvular disease (18%). The perinatal mortality rate was 2%, median gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks 4 days, fetal growth restriction (customised birthweight <10th centile) was 9% although 25 (17%) pregnancies resulted in preterm birth, 36% of which were spontaneous and 64% were iatrogenic. Maternal outcomes were favourable and there were no maternal deaths. However, 51% of women required a caesarean section, and 23% who achieved a live birth required ICU/HDU admission.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that women with cardiac disease are at increased risk of preterm birth, and high acuity in the peripartum period but otherwise good maternal and perinatal outcomes. An integrated multidisciplinary perinatal cardiac service can optimise perinatal outcomes in these women.

Maternal Congenital Heart Disease in Pregnancy

Congenital heart disease comprises most maternal cardiac diseases in pregnancy and is an important cause of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pregnancy is often considered a high-risk state for individuals with structural heart disease as a consequence of a limited ability to adapt to the major hemodynamic changes associated with pregnancy. Preconception counseling and evaluation are of utmost importance, as pregnancy is contraindicated in certain cardiac conditions. Pregnancy can be safely accomplished in most individuals with careful risk assessment before conception and multidisciplinary care throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Pregnancy and delivery outcomes from patients with repaired anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery

AIM

We investigated the clinical courses before and during pregnancy and after delivery in patients with repaired anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery to determine the impact of the hemodynamic changes and cardiac function on the selection of the appropriate mode of delivery.

METHODS

Six patients who underwent coronary artery reimplantation delivered 10 infants. We scrutinized the patients' hemodynamic changes on echocardiographs and the plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels before and during pregnancy and after delivery, the perinatal outcomes and maternal and fetal events.

RESULTS

All patients were asymptomatic and categorized as having New York Heart Association functional class I before pregnancy. In 8 of 10 pregnancies, vaginal deliveries were performed; two elective cesarean sections were performed because of symptomatic heart failure. The hemodynamic parameters were stable throughout pregnancy and postdelivery, and no maternal or fetal events occurred in the patients who underwent vaginal deliveries. One cesarean section patient developed significant heart failure during the late second and third trimesters, which was accompanied by hemodynamic changes, including increased brain natriuretic peptide levels, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and worsening arrhythmias, and thrombosis and post-partum hemorrhage occurred postdelivery. The baby had intrauterine growth retardation and small for gestational age. None of the babies had congenital anomalies.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy was safe in most of the asymptomatic patients long after anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery was repaired. Symptomatic heart failure might occur during pregnancy in patients with persisting myocardial damage. Pregnancy and delivery should be carefully managed.

Management of the Critically Ill Adult With Congenital Heart Disease

Survival of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) has improved significantly over the last 2 decades, leading to an increase in hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions of these patients. Whereas most of the ICU admissions in the past were related to perioperative management, the incidence of medical emergencies from long-term sequelae of palliative or corrective surgical treatment of these patients is rising. Intensivists now are confronted with patients who not only have complex anatomy after congenital cardiac surgery, but also complex pathophysiology due to decades of living with abnormal cardiac anatomy and diseases of advanced age. Comorbidities affect all organ systems, including cognitive function, pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, liver, and kidneys. Critical care management requires an in-depth understanding of underlying anatomy and pathophysiology in order to apply contemporary concepts of adult ICU care to this population and optimize patient outcomes. In this review, the main CHD lesions and their common surgical management approaches are described, and the sequelae of CHD physiology are discussed. In addition, the effects of chronic comorbidities on the management of critically ill adults are explored, and the adjustments of current ICU management modalities and pharmacology to optimize care are discussed.

Pregnancy outcome in women with congenital heart disease: A single-center experience

OBJECTIVE

Pregnancies in patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) are often complicated. We aimed to highlight the nature and the rate of these complications in a single-center patient population.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied all the pregnancies of women who presented on an outpatient basis, and all pregnancies were reviewed for maternal and fetal outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 117 pregnancies from 52 ACHD patients (age at pregnancy 28.3 ± 6.6 years), 10 were therapeutically aborted. A proportion of 41.1% of the remaining 107 pregnancies were complicated either with cardiac (3.7%), obstetric (15.0%), or fetal/neonatal (11.2%) adverse events or with spontaneous abortion (17.8%). Hospitalization during pregnancy was required in 10 patients. Elective cesarean sections were initially planned for 31% of the 87 pregnancies, which were finally completed, while 8% required an emergency cesarean section, mostly for obstetric reasons. NYHA class deterioration after pregnancy was detected in 9.3% of our cohort. Modified WHO class III/IV, prior medication use, and higher body mass index (BMI) were related to cardiac complications during pregnancy or NYHA deterioration.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancies in ACHD patients are at high risk for complications. Advanced modified WHO class, prior medication use, and high BMI were related to adverse cardiac events.

Pregnancy outcome in women with Eisenmenger's syndrome: a case series from west China

BACKGROUND

Eisenmenger's syndrome (ES) consists of pulmonary hypertension with a reversed or bidirectional shunt at the atrioventricular, or aortopulmonary level. The cardiovascular changes that occur during the pregnancy contribute to the high maternal morbidity and mortality in patients with ES. This study is to assess maternal and fetal outcomes in patients with ES.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective analysis of 11 pregnancies in women with ES who delivered at a tertiary care center in west China between 2010 and 2014. Cases were divided into group I (maternal survival) and group II (maternal death). Clinical data were noted and analyzed.

RESULTS

All ES patients presented with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Four maternal deaths were recorded (maternal mortality of 36%). Only one pregnancy continued to term. Ventricular septal defect diameter in group II was larger than that in group I (2.93 ± 0.76 cm vs. 1.90 ± 0.54 cm, p < 0.05). Arterial oxygen saturation and pre-delivery arterial oxygen tension during oxygen inhalation were significantly lower in group II (p < 0.05). Pulmonary arterial blood pressure (PABP) in both groups were high while ejection fractions (EF) were significantly lower in group II (p < 0.05). The incidence of pre-delivery heart failure in group II was substantially higher than in survivors (100 vs.14.3%, p < 0.05). Fetal complications were exceptionally high: preterm delivery (88%), small for gestational age (83%), fetal mortality (27%) and neonatal mortality (25%).

CONCLUSIONS

In west China,the perinatal outcome of pregnant women with ES is poor, especially when complicated with high pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pregnancy remains strongly contraindicated in ES. Effective contraception is essential, and the option of terminating pregnancy in the first trimester should be presented to pregnant women with ES.

Health risk behaviors in adolescents and young adults with special health care needs

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Adolescents and young adults with special health care needs (SHCN) are uniquely vulnerable to health risk behaviors including smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use, and sexual risk-taking. Their likelihood of experiencing adverse health outcomes because of these behaviors may be beyond that experienced by their healthier peer group. Pediatric providers are responsible for appropriately counseling these patients about healthy lifestyles. This review provides some background regarding these health risks among adolescents and young adults with SHCN with particular focus on three populations: childhood cancer survivors, congenital heart disease patients, and those with intellectual disability.

RECENT FINDINGS

Young adults and adolescents with chronic medical conditions are as likely - and perhaps more likely - to engage in health risk behaviors. However, these behaviors are not fully addressed by primary care providers.

SUMMARY

Pediatric providers are encouraged to ask adolescents and young adults with SHCN about their understanding of, and engagement in, health risk behaviors. A multidisciplinary approach to encourage a healthy lifestyle within this population may have significant health benefits.