Maternal Cardiac Output and Fetal Doppler Predict Adverse Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Heart Disease

Adverse fetal/neonatal and obstetric outcomes in pregnancies with both maternal and fetal heart disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate fetal/neonatal and obstetric events in pregnancies with both maternal and fetal heart disease.

STUDY DESIGN

From the CARPREG database, singleton pregnancies (>24 weeks) in patients with structural heart disease that underwent fetal/neonatal echocardiograms were selected and separated in two groups: maternal heart disease only (M-HD) and maternal and fetal heart disease (MF-HD). Differences in adverse fetal/neonatal (death, preterm birth, and small for gestational age) and obstetric (preeclampsia/eclampsia) outcomes between groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

From 1011 pregnancies, 93 had MF-HD. Fetal/neonatal events (38.7% vs 25.3%, p = 0.006) and spontaneous preterm birth (10.8% vs 4.9%, p = 0.021) were more frequent in MF-HD compared to M-HD, with no difference in obstetric events. MF-HD remained as a significant predictor of fetal/neonatal events after adjustment (OR:1.883; 95% CI:1.182-3.000; p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancies with MF-HD are at risk of adverse fetal/neonatal events and spontaneous preterm birth. Larger studies are needed to determine their association with preeclampsia.

Predictors of spontaneous pregnancy loss in single ventricle physiology

BACKGROUND

Pregnant patients with single ventricle (SV) physiology carry a high risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss (SPL), yet the clinical factors contributing to this risk are not well defined.

METHODS

Single-centre retrospective study of pregnant patients with SV physiology seen in cardio-obstetrics clinic over the past 20 years with chart review of their obstetric history. Patients without a known pregnancy outcome were excluded. Univariable Bayesian panel-data random effects logit was used to model the risk of SPL.

RESULTS

The study included 20 patients with 44 pregnancies, 20 live births, 21 SPL and 3 elective abortions. All had Fontan palliation except for two with Waterston and Glenn shunts. 10 (50%) had a single right ventricle (RV). 14 (70%) had moderate or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR). Atrial arrhythmias were present in 16 (80%), Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) in 15 (75%) and FALD stage 4 in 9 (45%). 12 (60%) were on anticoagulation. Average first-trimester oxygen saturation was 93.8% for live births and 90.8% for SPL. The following factors were associated with higher odds of SPL: RV morphology (OR 1.72 (95% credible interval (CrI) 1.0008-2.70)), moderate or severe AVVR (OR 1.64 (95% CrI 1.003-2.71)) and reduced first-trimester oxygen saturation (OR 1.83 (95% CrI 1.03-2.71) for each per cent decrease in O2 saturation.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant patients with SV physiology, particularly those with RV morphology, moderate or severe AVVR, and lower first-trimester oxygen saturations, have a higher risk of SPL. Identifying these clinical risk factors can guide preconception counselling by the cardio-obstetrics team.

Placental Sonomorphologic Appearance and Fetomaternal Outcome in Fontan Circulation

Objectives: Pregnancies in women with Fontan circulation are on the rise, and they are known to imply high maternal and fetal complication rates. The altered hemodynamic profile of univentricular circulation affects placental development and function. This study describes placental sonomorphologic appearance and Doppler examinations and correlates these to histopathologic findings and pregnancy outcomes in women with Fontan circulation. Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of pregnancies in women with Fontan circulation was conducted between 2018 and 2023. Maternal characteristics and obstetric and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Serial ultrasound examinations including placental sonomorphologic appearance and Doppler studies were assessed. Macroscopic and histopathologic findings of the placentas were reviewed. Results: Six live births from six women with Fontan physiology were available for analysis. Prematurity occurred in 83% (5/6 cases) and fetal growth restriction and bleeding events in 66% (4/6 cases) each. All but one placenta showed similar sonomorphologic abnormalities starting during the late second trimester, such as thickened globular shape, inhomogeneous echotexture, and hypoechoic lakes, resulting in a jelly-like appearance. Uteroplacental blood flow indices were within normal range in all women. The corresponding histopathologic findings were non-specific and consisted of intervillous and subchorionic fibrin deposition, villous atrophy, hypoplasia, or fibrosis. Conclusions: Obstetric and perinatal complication rates in pregnancies of women with Fontan circulation are high. Thus, predictors are urgently needed. Our results suggest that serial ultrasound examinations with increased awareness of the placental appearance and its development, linked to the Doppler sonographic results of the uteroplacental and fetomaternal circulation, may be suitable for the early identification of cases prone to complications.

Cardiac remodelling during pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease and systemic left ventricle

AIMS

Women with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk of pregnancy-related adverse outcomes (PRAO). The purpose of this study was to assess temporal changes in cardiac structure and function (cardiac remodelling) during pregnancy, and the association with PRAO in women with CHD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Retrospective study of pregnant women with CHD and serial echocardiograms (2003-2021). Cardiac structure and function were assessed at pre-specified time points: prepregnancy, early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and postnatal period. PRAO was defined as the composite of maternal cardiovascular, obstetric, and neonatal complications. The study comprised 81 women with CHD (age, 29 ± 5 years). Compared to the baseline echocardiogram, there was a relative increase in right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) (relative change 13 ± 5%, P < 0.001, in early pregnancy; and 18 ± 5%, P < 0.001, in late pregnancy). There was a relative decrease in right ventricle free wall strain (RVFWS) (relative change -11 ± 3%, P < 0.001, in late pregnancy; and -11 ± 4%, P = 0.003, in postnatal period), and a relative decrease in RVFWS/RVSP (relative change, -10 ± 5%, P = 0.02 in early pregnancy, -26 ± 7%, P < 0.001, in late pregnancy, and -14 ± 5%, P < 0.001, in postnatal period). Baseline right ventricular to pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling, and temporal change in RV-PA coupling were associated with PRAO, after adjustment for maternal age and severity of cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSION

Women with CHD had a temporal decrease in RV systolic function and RV-PA coupling, and these changes were associated with PRAO. Further studies are required to delineate the aetiology of deterioration in RV-PA coupling during pregnancy, and the long-term implications of right heart dysfunction observed in the postnatal period.

Maternal Cardiac Disease and Perinatal Outcomes in a Single Tertiary Care Center

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to compare the perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with heart disease and a healthy pregnant control group, as well as the maternal and newborn outcomes of pregnant women with congenital heart disease and acquired heart disease.

MATERIAL METHOD

Pregnant women with heart disease and healthy control pregnant women were included in this retrospective study. Sociodemographic data of all patients included in the study were obtained from electronic records. Perinatal outcomes of all patients were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 258 pregnant women were included in the study. While 129 pregnant women were diagnosed with heart disease, 129 patients were low-risk pregnant women. Preeclampsia (p=0.004) and cesarean section (p=0.01) rates were higher in pregnant women with heart disease compared to healthy pregnant women. Compared with healthy pregnant women, pregnant women with heart disease had a lower birth weight (p=0.003), a higher fetal growth restriction (FGR) rate (p=0.036), lower birth percentiles (p=0.002), a lower 5-minute APGAR (p=0.0001), a higher neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rate (p=0.001), and a longer NICU stay rate (p=0.001). The mean gestational age at birth of pregnant women with congenital heart disease was higher than that of those with acquired heart disease (p=0.017).

CONCLUSION

It was observed that all maternal heart diseases were associated with adverse perinatal outcomes compared to healthy pregnant women. In this series, perinatal adverse outcomes of pregnant women with congenital and acquired heart disease did not differ.

Validation of a noninvasive cardiac output monitor in maternal cardiac disease: comparison of NICOM and transthoracic echocardiogram

BACKGROUND

The physiological changes to the cardiovascular system during pregnancy are considerable and are more pronounced in those with cardiac disease. In the general population, noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring is a valid alternative to pulmonary artery catheterization, which poses risk in the pregnant population. There is limited data on noninvasive cardiac output monitoring in pregnancy as an alternative to pulmonary artery catheterization.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to compare transthoracic echocardiography with a noninvasive cardiac output monitor (NICOM, Cheetah Medical) in pregnant patients with and without cardiac disease.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective, open-label validation study that compared 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography with NICOM estimations of cardiac output in each trimester of pregnancy and the postpartum period. Participants with and without cardiac disease with a singleton gestation were included. NICOM estimations of cardiac output were derived from thoracic bioreactance and compared with 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography for both precision and accuracy. A mean percentage difference of ±30% between the 2 devices was considered acceptable agreement between the 2 measurement techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 58 subjects were enrolled; 36 did not have cardiac disease and 22 had cardiac disease. Heart rate measurements between the 2 devices were strongly correlated in both groups, whereas stroke volume and cardiac output measurements showed weak correlation. When comparing the techniques, the NICOM device overestimated cardiac output in the control group in all trimesters and the postpartum period (mean percentage differences were 50.3%, 52.7%, 48.1%, and 51.0% in the first, second, and third trimesters and the postpartum period, respectively). In the group with cardiac disease, the mean percentage differences were 31.9%, 29.7%, 19.6%, and 35.2% for the respective timepoints.

CONCLUSION

The NICOM device consistently overestimated cardiac output when compared with 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography at all timepoints in the control group and in the first trimester and postpartum period for the cardiovascular disease group. The physiological changes of pregnancy, specifically the mean chest circumference and total body water, may alter the accuracy of the cardiac output measurement by the NICOM device as they are currently estimated. Although NICOM has been validated for use in the critical care setting, there is insufficient data to support its use in pregnancy.

Fetal Third-Trimester Functional Cardiovascular Abnormalities and Neonatal Elevated Bilirubin Level

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to analyze the neonatal outcomes of fetuses with diagnosed functional cardiovascular abnormalities, also considering the connection with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It was an observational study of 100 neonates who had fetal echocardiography examinations in the third trimester (mean gestational age during the last echocardiography was 34 ± 3 weeks and mean birth weight was 3550 g). There were two groups: A: normal heart anatomy + no functional anomalies; group B: normal heart anatomy + functional abnormalities. Hyperbilirubinemia was defined as a bilirubin level of >10 mg%.

RESULTS

In group A, there were 72 cases and only 5 cases despite having normal heart anatomy and normal heart study that presented additional problems. In group B (28 cases), the prenatal functional findings included tricuspid regurgitation (TR) (15 cases, 53%), pericardial effusion (4 cases, 14%), myocardial hypertrophy (4 cases, 14%), cardiomegaly (2 cases, 7%), abnormal bidirectional blood flow across the foramen ovale (3 cases, 11%), aneurysm of atrial septum (2 case, 7%), abnormal E/A ratio for mitral and tricuspid valve (1 case, 3%), bright spot (3 case, 11%), abnormal Doppler flow in ductus arteriosus compared to aortic arch (difference >60 cm/s) (1 case, 3%), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (1 case), and mitral regurgitation (1 case, 3%). In group A (n = 72 cases), bilirubin levels of >10 mg/dL were observed in 8% of newborns. In group B (n = 28), bilirubin levels of > 10 m/dL were observed in 46% of cases and TR was present in group B in 53% of cases (15/28 cases). The difference between group A and B in terms of elevated bilirubin levels was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the case of fetal normal heart anatomy and normal heart study, a good neonatal outcome may be expected. When fetal cardiovascular functional abnormalities in normal heart anatomy are detected, with special attention paid to tricuspid valve regurgitation, a neonatal elevated bilirubin level (mean 11 mg/dL, range 10-15 mg/dL) may be expected.

New Hypertension After Pregnancy in Patients With Heart Disease

Background After pregnancy, patients with preexisting heart disease are at high risk for cardiovascular complications. The primary objective was to compare the incidence of new hypertension after pregnancy in patients with and without heart disease. Methods and Results This was a retrospective matched-cohort study comparing the incidence of new hypertension after pregnancy in 832 patients who are pregnant with congenital or acquired heart disease to a comparison group of 1664 patients who are pregnant without heart disease; matching was by demographics and baseline risk for hypertension at the time of the index pregnancy. We also examined whether new hypertension was associated with subsequent death or cardiovascular events. The 20-year cumulative incidence of hypertension was 24% in patients with heart disease, compared with 14% in patients without heart disease (hazard ratio [HR], 1.81 [95% CI, 1.44-2.27]). The median follow-up time at hypertension diagnosis in the heart disease group was 8.1 years (interquartile range, 4.2-11.9 years). The elevated rate of new hypertension was observed not only in patients with ischemic heart disease, but also in those with left-sided valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart disease. Pregnancy risk prediction methods can further stratify risk of new hypertension. New hypertension was associated with an increased rate of subsequent death or cardiovascular events (HR, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.05-2.25]). Conclusions Patients with heart disease are at higher risk for developing hypertension in the decades after pregnancy when compared with those without heart disease. New hypertension in this young cohort is associated with adverse cardiovascular events highlighting the importance of systematic and lifelong surveillance.

Preterm birth and maternal heart disease: A machine learning analysis using the Korean national health insurance database

BACKGROUND

Maternal heart disease is suspected to affect preterm birth (PTB); however, validated studies on the association between maternal heart disease and PTB are still limited. This study aimed to build a prediction model for PTB using machine learning analysis and nationwide population data, and to investigate the association between various maternal heart diseases and PTB.

METHODS

A population-based, retrospective cohort study was conducted using data obtained from the Korea National Health Insurance claims database, that included 174,926 primiparous women aged 25-40 years who delivered in 2017. The random forest variable importance was used to identify the major determinants of PTB and test its associations with maternal heart diseases, i.e., arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease (IHD), cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease first diagnosed before or during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Among the study population, 12,701 women had PTB, and 12,234 women had at least one heart disease. The areas under the receiver-operating-characteristic curves of the random forest with oversampling data were within 88.53 to 95.31. The accuracy range was 89.59 to 95.22. The most critical variables for PTB were socioeconomic status and age. The random forest variable importance indicated the strong associations of PTB with arrhythmia and IHD among the maternal heart diseases. Within the arrhythmia group, atrial fibrillation/flutter was the most significant risk factor for PTB based on the Shapley additive explanation value.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful evaluation and management of maternal heart disease during pregnancy would help reduce PTB. Machine learning is an effective prediction model for PTB and the major predictors of PTB included maternal heart disease such as arrhythmia and IHD.

Role of MicroRNAs in Cardiac Disease with Stroke in Pregnancy

Pregnancy-related cardiovascular disease with stroke remains a considerable source of higher maternal morbidity and mortality occurs in periods of pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. It is essential to counsel the mother before pregnancy by an expert cardiologist and obstetric team to discuss any event related to preexistent cardiac or past preeclampsia for estimation of maternal and fetal risks. In pregnancy, the cardiac state includes hypertensive disorders, ischemic heart disease, valvular disease, and postpartum stroke. The incidence of stroke is increasing in pregnancy, particularly in postpartum, and its strong relationship with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia). The combined cardiologist and obstetrics team requires during pregnancy mainly due to the approach to the management of a cardiac disease that subsequently prevents stroke postpartum. Therefore, a general perception of cardiac disease during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum should be a core knowledge extent for all cardiovascular and clinicians. Many studies provided linked that deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) in maternal circulation and placenta tissue may development of pregnancy complications including preeclampsia considered a diagnostic marker. The desire of this review provides a detailed outline of current knowledge and dealing in this field with strength on the physiological changes during pregnancy.

Maternal hemodynamics and computerized cardiotocography during labor with epidural analgesia

PURPOSE

To analyze the mechanisms involved in the fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormalities after the epidural analgesia in labor.

METHODS

A prospective unblinded single-center observational study on 55 term singleton pregnant women with spontaneous labor. All women recruited underwent serial bedside measurements of the main hemodynamic parameters using a non-invasive ultrasound system (USCOM-1A). Total vascular resistances (TVR), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and arterial blood pressure were measured before epidural administration (T0), after 5 min 5 (T1) from epidural bolus and at the end of the first stage of labor (T2). FHR was continuously recorded through computerized cardiotocography before and after the procedure.

RESULTS

The starting CO was significantly higher in a subgroup of women with low TVR than in women with high-TVR group. After the bolus of epidural analgesia in the low-TVR group there was a significant reduction in CO and then increased again at the end of the first stage, in the high-TVR group the CO increased insignificantly after the anesthesia bolus, while it increased significantly in the remaining part of the first stage of labor. On the other hand, CO was inversely correlated with the number of decelerations detected on cCTG in the 1 hour after the epidural bolus while the short-term variation was significantly lower in the group with high-TVR.

CONCLUSION

Maternal hemodynamic status at the onset of labor can make a difference in fetal response to the administration of epidural analgesia.

Maternal left ventricular function and adverse neonatal outcomes in women with cardiac disease

Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between maternal left ventricular systolic function, utero-placental circulation, and risk of adverse neonatal outcomes in women with cardiac disease.

Methods

119 women managed in the pregnancy heart clinic (2019–2021) were identified. Women were classified by their primary cardiac condition. Adverse neonatal outcomes were: low birth weight (< 2500 g), small-for-gestational-age (< 10th birth-weight centile), pre-term delivery (< 37 weeks’ gestation), and fetal demise (> 20 weeks’ gestation). Parameters of left ventricular systolic function (global longitudinal strain, radial strain, ejection fraction, average S’, and cardiac output) were calculated and pulsatility index was recorded from last growth scan.

Results

Adverse neonatal outcomes occurred in 28 neonates (24%); most frequently in valvular heart disease (n = 8) and cardiomyopathy (n = 7). Small-for-gestational-age neonates were most common in women with cardiomyopathy (p = 0.016). Early pregnancy average S’ (p = 0.03), late pregnancy average S’ (p = 0.02), and late pregnancy cardiac output (p = 0.008) were significantly lower in women with adverse neonatal outcomes than in those with healthy neonates. There was a significant association between neonatal birth-weight centile and global longitudinal strain (p = 0.04) and cardiac output (p = 0.0002) in late pregnancy. Pulsatility index was highest in women with cardiomyopathy (p = 0.007), and correlated with average S’ (p < 0.0001) and global longitudinal strain (p = 0.03) in late pregnancy.

Conclusion

Women with cardiac disease may not tolerate cardiovascular adaptations required during pregnancy to support fetal growth. Adverse neonatal outcomes were associated with reduced left ventricular systolic function and higher pulsatility index. The association between impaired systolic function and reduced fetal growth is supported by insufficient utero-placental circulation.

Cardiovascular determinants of impaired placental function in women with cardiac dysfunction

Female heart disease has for a long time been an underrecognized problem in the field of cardiology. With an ever-growing number of these patients getting pregnant, cardiac dysfunction during pregnancy is an increasingly large medical problem. Previous work has shown that maternal heart disease may have an adverse effect on pregnancy outcome in both mother and child. The placenta forms the connection and it is postulated that cardiac dysfunction negatively affects the placenta, and consequently, neonatal outcome. Given the paucity of data in this field, more research on the influence of cardiac (mal)function on placental (mal)function is needed. The present review describes placental function in women with various types of cardiac dysfunction, thereby aiming to provide more insight into possible underlying mechanisms of placental malfunction. Organ dysfunction in patients with heart failure is for an important part based on reduced perfusion and venous congestion. This has been shown in other organs such as kidneys, liver and brain. In pregnant women with cardiac dysfunction, placental dysfunction may follow similar patterns. Moreover, other factors, such as pre-existing hypertension and chronic hypoxia may lead to further impairment of placental function, through abnormal vascular remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries. The pathophysiology of placental dysfunction in pregnant women with cardiac dysfunction may thus be multifactorial. It is therefore important to monitor closely cardiac and placental function in such high-risk pregnancies. Gaining a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms may have important clinical implications in terms of pregnancy counseling, monitoring and outcome.

Predictors of maternal and neonatal complications in women with severe valvular heart disease during pregnancy in Tunisia: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Severe valvular heart disease, especially stenosis, is a contraindication for conception according to the World Health Organization. This is still encountered in countries with a high rheumatic fever prevalence. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of maternal cardiac, obstetric and neonatal complications in pregnant women with severe valve disease.

Methods

This is an observational retrospective cohort study of all pregnant women with severe heart valvulopathy who gave birth between 2010 and 2017.

Results

We included 60 pregnancies in 54 women. Cardiac complications occurred during 37 pregnancies (61%). In multivariate analysis, parity (aOR =2.41, 95% CI[1.12–5.16]), revelation of valvulopathy during pregnancy (aOR = 6.34; 95% CI[1.26–31.77]), severe mitral stenosis (aOR = 6.98, 95% CI[1.14–41.05],) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (aOR =1.08, 95% CI[1.01–1.14]) were associated with cardiac complications. Obstetrical complications were noted during 19 pregnancies (31.8%). These complications were associated with nulliparity (aOR = 5.22; 95% CI[1.15–23.6]), multiple valve disease (aOR = 5.26, 95% CI[1.19–23.2]), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (aOR =1.04, 95% CI[1.002–1.09]), and treatment with vitamin K antagonists (aOR = 8.71, 95% CI[1.98–38.2]). Neonatal complications were noted in 39.3% of newborns (n = 61) and these were associated with occurrence of obstetric complications (aOR = 16.47, 95% CI[3.2–84.3]) and revelation of valvulopathy during pregnancy (aOR = 7.33, 95% CI[1.4–36.1]).

Conclusions

Revelation of valvular heart disease during pregnancy is a predictor of not only cardiac but also neonatal complications. Valvular heart disease screening during pre-conceptional counseling is thus crucial.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-04259-6.

Cardiac Complications in Pregnant Women With Isolated Mitral Stenosis and Their Association With Echocardiographic Changes During Pregnancy

In women with mitral stenosis (MS), mitral valve gradients and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) can increase in response to the physiologic stress of pregnancy. The prognostic significance of these echocardiographic changes has not been well studied. Pregnancy outcomes and serial echocardiograms were collected in women with MS prospectively recruited as part of a larger study on pregnancy outcomes. Third trimester echocardiograms were compared with baseline echocardiograms. Changes in mitral valve area (MVA), transmitral mean gradient (MG), and RVSP during pregnancy and their relationship to adverse cardiac events (CE) were examined. Fifty-six pregnancies in 47 women with MS were included. The MVA did not change during pregnancy (1.6 ± 0.6 cm² at baseline vs 1.7 ± 0.6 cm² in the third trimester, p = 0.46). There was an increase in the MG (8 ± 3 vs 11 ± 6 mm Hg, p <0.001) and the RVSP (39 ± 14 vs 47 ± 20 mm Hg, p <0.001) during the third trimester. Adverse CE occurred in 45% (25/56) of pregnancies. CE were associated with baseline MG>10 mm Hg, baseline RVSP >40 mm Hg, third-trimester MG>10 mm Hg, and RVSP >40 mm Hg. Women with mitral valve MG ≤10 mm Hg who had a normal RVSP at baseline and in the third trimester were at lowest risk for CE (11%) with a negative predictive value of 89%. In conclusion, baseline echocardiographic assessment of MS severity as well as changing echocardiographic parameters during pregnancy can help identify women at risk for cardiac complications during pregnancy.

The association between guidelines adherence and clinical outcomes during pregnancy in a cohort of women with cardiac co-morbidities

Background/Aims

Maternal and infant morbidities associated with pregnant women with cardiac conditions are a global issue contingent upon appropriate care. This study aimed to describe the clinical variables and their association with the adherence scores to perinatal guidelines for pregnant women with cardiac conditions. The clinical variables included cardiac, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes and complications.

Methods

Using a retrospective cross-sectional medical record audit, data were abstracted and categorised as cardiac, obstetric, and neonatal predictors. Linear regression modelling was used to find the mean difference (MD) in adherence scores for each predictor, including a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a significance value for all the three categories’ clinical outcomes.

Results

This maternal cohort’s (n = 261) cardiac complications were primarily arrhythmias requiring treatment (29.9%), particularly SVT (28%), a new diagnosis of valvular heart disease and congenital heart disease (24%) and decompensated heart failure (HF) (16%). Women with HF had associated increased adherence scores (MD = 3.546, 95% CI: 1.689, 5.403) compared to those without HF. Elective LSCS mode of delivery was associated with a higher adherence score (MD = 5.197, 95% CI: 3.584, 6.811) than non-elective LSCS subgroups. Babies admitted to intensive /special care had greater adherence to the guidelines (MD = 3.581, 95% CI: 1.822, 5.340) than those not requiring the same care.

Conclusions

Some pregnancy associated complications and morbidities were associated with higher adherence scores, reflecting that a diagnosis, identification of morbidities or risk factors, initiation of appropriate multidisciplinary involvement and adherence to guidelines were associated. Conversely, potentially avoidable major complications such as sepsis were associated with a low adherence score.

Trial registration

ACTRN12617000417381.

Maternal Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) remains the most common major cardiovascular complication arising in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Mothers who develop HF have been shown to experience an increased risk of death as well as a variety of adverse cardiac and obstetric outcomes. Recent studies have demonstrated that the risk to neonates is significant, with increased risks in perinatal morbidity and mortality, low Apgar scores, and prolonged neonatal intensive care unit stays. Information on the causal factors of HF can be used to predict risk and understand timing of onset, mortality, and morbidity. A variety of modifiable, nonmodifiable, and obstetric risk factors as well as comorbidities are known to increase a patient's likelihood of developing HF, and there are additional elements that are known to portend a poorer prognosis beyond the HF diagnosis. Multidisciplinary cardio‐obstetric teams are becoming more prominent, and their existence will both benefit patients through direct care and increased awareness and educate clinicians and trainees on this patient population. Detection, access to care, insurance barriers to extended postpartum follow‐up, and timely patient counseling are all areas where care for these women can be improved. Further data on maternal and fetal outcomes are necessary, with the formation of State Maternal Perinatal Quality Collaboratives paving the way for such advances.

Maternal and Fetal Hemodynamic Adaptations to Pregnancy and Clinical Outcomes in Maternal Cardiac Disease

BACKGROUND

Although insufficient maternal cardiac output (CO) has been implicated in poor outcomes in mothers with heart disease (HD), maternal-fetal interactions remain incompletely understood. We sought to quantify maternal-fetal hemodynamics using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and explore their relationships with adverse events.

METHODS

Pregnant women with moderate or severe HD (n=22; age 32±5 years) were compared with healthy controls (n=21; 34±3 years). An MRI was performed during the third trimester at peak output (maternal-fetal) and six-months postpartum with return of maternal hemodynamics to baseline (reference). Phase-contrast MRI was used for flow quantification and was combined with T1/T2 relaxometry for derivation of fetal oxygen delivery/consumption.

RESULTS

 Third trimester CO and cardiac index (CI) measurements were similar in HD and control groups (CO 7.2±1.5 versus 7.3±1.6 L/min, p=0.79; CI 4.0±0.7 versus 4.3±0.7 L/min/m², p=0.28). However, the magnitude of CO/CI increase (Δ, peak-pregnancy-reference) in the HD group exceeded controls (CO 46±24% versus 27±16%, p=0.007; CI 51±28% versus 28±17%, p=0.005). Fetal growth and oxygen delivery/consumption were similar between groups. Adverse cardiovascular outcomes (non-mutually exclusive) in 6 HD women included arrhythmia (n=4), heart failure (n=2) and hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (n=1); fetal prematurity was observed in 2 of these women. The odds of a maternal cardiovascular event were inversely associated with peak CI (OR 0.10 [95% confidence interval 0.001-0.86], p=0.04) and ΔCI (0.02 [0.001-0.71], p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

 Maternal-fetal hemodynamics can be well-characterized in pregnancy using MRI. Impaired adaptation to pregnancy in women with HD appears to be associated with development of adverse outcomes of pregnancy.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Maternal and placental-fetal vascular flows in women with heart disease (HD) were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Adaptive peak pregnancy cardiac output and cardiac index (CI) were formidable in the majority of mothers. Placental-fetal hemodynamics were maintained and neonatal outcomes were favourable. Women with adverse cardiovascular events in pregnancy had insufficient augmentation of CI antenatally. Understanding hemodynamic responses of HD mothers in pregnancy may help physicians counsel women pre-conceptually and further optimize management antenatally.

Analysis of risk factors of low cardiac output syndrome after congenital heart disease operation: what can we do

Background

It’s necessary to analyze the related risk factors and complications of low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) after operation in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), to elucidate the management strategy of LCOS.

Methods

CHD children admitted to the department of cardiology in our hospital from January 15, 2019 to October 31, 2020 were included. The personal and clinical data of CHD children with LCOS and without LCOS were collected and compared. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors of postoperative LCOS. Besides, the complication and mortality of LCOS and no LCOS patients were compared.

Results

A total of 283 CHD patients were included, the incidence of postoperative LCOS in CHD patients was 12.37%. There were significant differences in the age, preoperative oxygen saturation, two-way ventricular shunt, duration of CPB and postoperative residual shunt between two groups (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analyses indicated that age ≤ 4y(OR2.426, 95%CI1.044 ~ 4.149), preoperative oxygen saturation ≤ 93%(OR2.175, 95%CI1.182 ~ 5.033), two-way ventricular shunt (OR3.994, 95%CI1.247 ~ 6.797), duration of CPB ≥ 60 min(OR2.172, 95%CI1.002 ~ 4.309), postoperative residual shunt (OR1.487, 95%CI1.093 ~ 2.383) were the independent risk factors of LCOS in patients with CHD (all p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the acute liver injury, acute kidney injury, pulmonary infection, tracheotomy, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay and mortality (all p < 0.05), no significant difference in the 24 h drainage was found(p = 0.095).

Conclusion

LCOS after CHD is common, more attentions should be paid to those patients with age ≤ 4y, preoperative oxygen saturation ≤ 93%, two-way ventricular shunt, duration of CPB ≥ 60 min, postoperative residual shunt to improve the prognosis of CHD patients.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with dilated cardiomyopathy: Peripartum cardiovascular events predict post delivery prognosis

BACKGROUND

The number of pregnant women with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is relatively small, and therefore their prognosis after pregnancy is unknown. This study aims to elucidate pregnancy outcomes among women with DCM, as well as the long-term prognosis after pregnancy.

METHODS

Thirty-five pregnancies and deliveries in 30 women, diagnosed with DCM before pregnancy, were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

All women had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) over 30% and belonged to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I or II before pregnancy. The mean gestational age at delivery was 36 weeks with 15 (43%) preterm deliveries. Eight pregnancies (23%) were complicated by peripartum cardiac events including 1 ventricular arrhythmia, 6 heart failures, and 1 significant deterioration in LVEF requiring termination of pregnancy. NYHA class II, pre-pregnancy use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker/diuretics, elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and advanced diastolic dysfunction assessed by Doppler echocardiography were defined as risk factors for cardiac events. Although the more severe cases took beta-blockers during pregnancy, the rates of cardiac events and decreasing LVEF did not differ significantly between those taking beta-blockers and those who were not. Values of LVEF decreased by almost 10% after the average 4-year post-delivery follow-up period. The long-term event-free survival was considerably worse among women with peripartum cardiac events than in those without (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

DCM women with pre-pregnancy LVEF over 30% tolerated pregnancy, but the rate of preterm delivery was high. Peripartum cardiovascular events occurred more often in women with NYHA class II, as well as those who received medications before and during pregnancy and showed more elevated BNP and advanced diastolic dysfunction before pregnancy. Beta-blockers likely allowed similar outcomes for DCM patients with lower initial LVEFs. Close monitoring later in life is required, particularly among the women with peripartum cardiac events.

Introduction to Building the Cardio-Obstetric Team

The pregnant cardiac patient has become a national focus in the United States during the 21st century. Maternal mortality in the United States is on the rise, cardiac disease in pregnancy has been identified as the number one indirect cause and has driven the increase in maternal death rate greatly. This may be explained by the increasing number of women with congenital heart disease reaching reproductive age and a higher prevalence of chronic medical diseases. A triad solution includes cardiovascular screening, patient education and a multidisciplinary team. The Cardio Obstetric team is described here.

Real-world in-hospital outcomes and potential predictors of heart failure in primigravid women with heart disease in Southwestern China

Background

Little is known about the status of maternal, obstetric, and neonatal complications and the potential predictors of developing heart failure (HF) in mothers with underlying heart disease (HD) in Southwestern China.

Methods

The eligible records from the YiduCloud database from December 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 were screened. The maternal clinical characteristics and the in-hospital outcomes were collected and compared in primigravid women with and without HD. The HD subtypes analyzed included valvular HD (VHD), cardiomyopathy, adult congenital HD (ACHD), pulmonary hypertension (PH), and other cardiac conditions.

Results

Among 45,067 primigravid women, 508 (1.1%) had HD, in which 207 (41%) had ACHD, 66 (13%) had VHD, 84 (17%) had cardiomyopathy, 7 (1%) had PH, and 144 (28%) had other cardiac diseases. The maternal cardiac events and the neonatal complications occurred in 28% and 23.3%, respectively, of women with HD and were predominant in the PH group. In multivariable regression, HF was associated with the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥3 (OR = 15.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.5–99.7; P = 0.003), heart rate ≥ 100 bpm (OR = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.1–13.5; P = 0.036), ejection fraction ≤60% (OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 2.0–21.0; P = 0.002) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ≥ 50 mm (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.1–11.2; P = 0.041) at the beginning of pregnancy.

Conclusions

Maternal and neonatal complications are higher in primigravid women with HD particularly in the PH group compared with primigravid women without HD. Women with HD should be guided on the potential predictors for HF and closely monitored during pregnancy to reduce maternal and neonatal complications.

Neonatal and Maternal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Cardiac Disease

Background

Pregnant women with underlying heart disease (HD) are at increased risk for adverse maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes.

Methods and Results

Inpatient maternal delivery admissions and linked neonatal stays for women with cardiomyopathy, adult congenital HD, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and valvular HD were explored utilizing the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (New York), January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2014, with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM). Maternal major adverse cardiac events, neonatal adverse clinical events (NACE), and obstetric complications were recorded. Outcomes were compared using multiple logistic regression modeling. Among 2 284 044 delivery admissions, 3871 women had HD; 676 (17%) had cardiomyopathy, 1528 (40%) had valvular HD, 1367 (35%) had adult congenital HD, and 300 (8%) had PH. Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 16.1% of women with HD, with most in the cardiomyopathy (45.9%) and PH (25%) groups. NACE was more common in offspring of women with HD (18.4% versus 7.1%), with most in the cardiomyopathy (30.0%) and PH (25.0%) groups. Increased risk of NACE was noted for women with HD (odds ratio [OR]: 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5–3.0), with the highest risk for those with cardiomyopathy (OR: 5.9; 95% CI, 5.0–7.0) and PH (OR: 4.5; 95% CI, 3.4–5.9). Preeclampsia (OR: 5.1; 95% CI, 3.0–8.6), major adverse cardiac events (OR: 2.3; 95% CI, 1.8–2.9), preexisting diabetes mellitus (OR: 4.3; 95% CI, 1.5–12.3), and obstetric complications (OR: 2.9; 95% CI, 1.7–5.2) were independently associated with higher NACE risk.

Conclusions

Neonatal complications were higher in offspring of pregnant women with HD, particularly cardiomyopathy and PH. Preeclampsia, major adverse cardiac events, obstetric complications, and preexisting diabetes mellitus were independently associated with a higher risk of NACE.

Maternal right ventricular function, uteroplacental circulation in first trimester and pregnancy outcome in women with congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE

Pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD) have an increased risk of abnormal uteroplacental flow, measured from the second trimester onwards, which is associated with pregnancy complications affecting the mother and the fetus. Maternal right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has been suggested as a predisposing factor for impaired uteroplacental flow in these women. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of first-trimester uteroplacental flow measurements with prepregnancy maternal cardiac function and pregnancy complications in women with CHD, with particular focus on the potential role of RV (dys)function.

METHODS

This study included 138 pregnant women with CHD from the prospective ZAHARA III study (Zwangerschap bij Aangeboren HARtAfwijkingen; Pregnancy and CHD). Prepregnancy clinical and echocardiographic data were collected. Clinical evaluation, echocardiography (focused on RV function, as assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)) and uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI) measurements were performed at 12, 20 and 32 weeks of gestation. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess the association between prepregnancy variables and UtA-PI during pregnancy. The association between UtA-PI at 12 weeks and cardiovascular, obstetric and neonatal complications was also assessed.

RESULTS

On multivariable regression analysis, prepregnancy TAPSE was associated negatively with UtA-PI at 12 weeks of gestation (β = -0.026; P = 0.036). Women with lower prepregnancy TAPSE (≤ 20 mm vs > 20 mm) had higher UtA-PI at 12 weeks (1.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.2 ± 0.6; P = 0.047). Increased UtA-PI at 12 weeks was associated with obstetric complications (P = 0.003), particularly hypertensive disorders (pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia, P = 0.019 and P = 0.026, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In women with CHD, RV dysfunction before pregnancy seems to impact placentation, resulting in increased resistance in UtA flow, which is detectable as early as in the first trimester. This, in turn, is associated with pregnancy complications. Early monitoring of uteroplacental flow might be of value in women with CHD with pre-existing subclinical RV dysfunction to identify pregnancies that would benefit from close obstetric surveillance. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Oxygen and lack of oxygen in fetal and placental development, feto-placental coupling, and congenital heart defects

Low oxygen concentration (hypoxia) is part of normal embryonic development, yet the situation is complex. Oxygen (O₂ ) is a janus gas with low levels signaling through hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF) that are required for development of fetal and placental vasculature and fetal red blood cells. This results in coupling of fetus and mother around midgestation as a functional feto-placental unit (FPU) for O₂ transport, which is required for continued growth and development of the fetus. Defects in these processes may leave the developing fetus vulnerable to O₂ deprivation or other stressors during this critical midgestational transition when common septal and conotruncal heart defects (CHDs) are likely to arise. Recent human epidemiological and case-control studies support an association between placental dysfunction, manifest as early onset pre-eclampsia (PE) and increased serum bio-markers, and CHD. Animal studies support this association, in particular those using gene inactivation in the mouse. Sophisticated methods for gene inactivation, cell fate mapping, and a quantitative bio-reporter of O₂ concentration support the premise that hypoxic stress at critical stages of development leads to CHD. The secondary heart field contributing to the cardiac outlet is a key target, with activation of the un-folded protein response and abrogation of FGF signaling or precocious activation of a cardiomyocyte transcriptional program for differentiation, suggested as mechanisms. These studies provide a strong foundation for further study of feto-placental coupling and hypoxic stress in the genesis of human CHD.

[Relevant aspects of the ESC guidelines for the management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy for obstetric anaesthesia (update 2018)]

The current update of the ESC (European Society of Cardiology) guidelines on managing cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy provides instructions for doctors in daily practice. Heart diseases are the most common reason for maternal death during pregnancy in western countries. Among other things, the following topics are dealt with: congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, aortic and valvular diseases as well as arrhythmias and hypertensive disorders. Compared to the guidelines from 2011 some changes have been made regarding the recommendations to classify maternal risk according to the modified World Health Organization (mWHO) classification or in recommendations on anticoagulation for low-dose and high-dose requirements of vitamin K antagonists. The main focus of this summary of recent recommendations is the impact on the anesthesia management in order to provide responsible anesthesiologists with relevant background knowledge.

Methods and considerations concerning cardiac output measurement in pregnant women: recommendations of the International Working Group on Maternal Hemodynamics

Cardiac output (CO), along with blood pressure and vascular resistance, is one of the most important parameters of maternal hemodynamic function. Substantial changes in CO occur in normal pregnancy and in most obstetric complications. With the development of several non-invasive techniques for the measurement of CO, there is a growing interest in the determination of this parameter in pregnancy. These techniques were initially developed for use in critical-care settings and were subsequently adopted in obstetrics, often without appropriate validation for use in pregnancy. In this article, methods and devices for the measurement of CO are described and compared, and recommendations are formulated for their use in pregnancy, with the aim of standardizing the assessment of CO and peripheral vascular resistance in clinical practice and research studies on maternal hemodynamics. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Impact of maternal pulmonary insufficiency on fetal growth in pregnancy

Rationale: It is known that fetal growth is usually proportional to left-sided cardiac output (CO), which parallels the right-sided CO and that congenital right-sided lesions are usually associated with better perinatal outcomes than left-sided lesions.Objective: Our objective was to document whether newborns from mothers with severe residual pulmonary valve insufficiency (PI) after surgical tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) or pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) correction have lower birth weight (BW) than newborns from mothers with absent, mild, or moderate PI.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of women affected with repaired TOF and corrected PS with varied severity of residual PI. Exclusion criteria were: left ventricular dysfunction, left-sided valvular heart disease, other right-sided structural heart disease, chronic hypertension, substance addiction, and incomplete follow-up. Pregnancies were divided into three groups: absent or mild PI, moderate PI, and severe PI. A generalized linear model with normal dependent variable distribution was built and the parameter estimation made with Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE) to take into account repeated mother in data. Variables such as gestational age at birth, maternal age, smoking, and body mass index were tested with bivariate analyses to assess their effect on BW. Only gestational age remained in the adjusted model.Results: A total of 45 patients were included (33 TOF and 12 PS) and 97 pregnancies were reported: 22 miscarriages (22.7%) (15 TOF, 7 PS) and 75 successful pregnancies (57 TOF, 18 PS). The patients were divided into three groups: 1) absent or mild PI, 2) moderate PI, and 3) severe PI groups, which comprised, respectively, 29 (15 TOF, 4 PS), 20 (10 TOF, 1 PS), and 26 successful pregnancies (8 TOF, 7 PS). Using three levels of PI (absent or mild, moderate, and severe), the unadjusted model showed a significant effect of level of PI on BW (p = .0118), as well as the adjusted model (p = .0263) with gestational age as a covariate. The estimated mean newborn's BW was 3055.8 g in the severe PI group, 3151.0 g in the moderate PI group, and 3376.4 g in the absent or mild group when adjusted for gestational age. Hence, we estimated that the mean newborn's BW is 321 g lower in the severe PI group compared with absent or mild PI group ((CI: 572.3; -68.9), p = .0087).Conclusions: Pregnancy is usually well tolerated in repaired TOF and corrected PS. Severe PI either from repaired TOF or PS is at higher risk of lower newborn's BW. Special attention must be paid to the severity of PI. Fetal growth surveillance in the third trimester is warranted.

Congenital Heart Disease and Reproductive Risk: An Overview for Obstetricians, Cardiologists, and Primary Care Providers

Patients with congenital heart disease have improved survival rates, and most patients are now expected to survive into adulthood. This improved survival has resulted in increasing numbers of women with congenital heart disease who are of childbearing age. This patient population requires specialized advice on contraception and pregnancy risk. Understanding the unique challenges this population presents is key to providing appropriate care.

Retrospective UK multicentre study of the pregnancy outcomes of women with a Fontan repair

Background

The population of women of childbearing age palliated with a Fontan repair is increasing. The aim of this study was to describe the progress of pregnancy and its outcome in a cohort of patients with a Fontan circulation in the UK.

Methods

A retrospective study of women with a Fontan circulation delivering between January 2005 and November 2016 in 10 specialist adult congenital heart disease centres in the UK.

Results

50 women had 124 pregnancies, resulting in 68 (54.8%) miscarriages, 2 terminations of pregnancy, 1 intrauterine death (at 30 weeks), 53 (42.7%) live births and 4 neonatal deaths. Cardiac complications in pregnancies with a live birth included heart failure (n=7, 13.5%), arrhythmia (n=6, 11.3%) and pulmonary embolism (n=1, 1.9%). Very low baseline maternal oxygen saturations at first obstetric review were associated with miscarriage. All eight women with saturations of less than 85% miscarried, compared with 60 of 116 (51.7%) who had baseline saturations of ≥85% (p=0.008). Obstetric and neonatal complications were common: preterm delivery (n=39, 72.2%), small for gestational age (<10th percentile, n=30, 55.6%; <5th centile, n=19, 35.2%) and postpartum haemorrhage (n=23, 42.6%). There were no maternal deaths in the study period.

Conclusion

Women with a Fontan circulation have a high rate of miscarriage and, even if pregnancy progresses to a viable gestational age, a high rate of obstetric and neonatal complications.

Organisation of care for pregnancy in patients with congenital heart disease

Improvements in surgery have resulted in more women with repaired congenital heart disease (CHD) surviving to adulthood. Women with CHD, who wish to embark on pregnancy require prepregnancy counselling. This consultation should cover several issues such as the long-term prognosis of the mother, fertility and miscarriage rates, recurrence risk of CHD in the baby, drug therapy during pregnancy, estimated maternal risk and outcome, expected fetal outcomes and plans for pregnancy. Prenatal genetic testing is available for those patients with an identified genetic defect using pregestational diagnosis or prenatal diagnosis chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. Centralisation of care is needed for high-risk patients. Finally, currently there are no recommendations addressing the issue of the delivery. It is crucial that a dedicated plan for delivery should be available for all cardiac patients. The maternal mortality in low-income to middle-income countries is 14 times higher than in high-income countries and needs additional aspects and dedicated care.

Uteroplacental Doppler flow and pregnancy outcome in women with tetralogy of Fallot

OBJECTIVE

Pregnancy in women with surgically corrected tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is associated with cardiac, obstetric and neonatal complications. We compared uteroplacental Doppler flow (UDF) measurements and pregnancy outcome in women with ToF and in healthy women and aimed to assess whether a relationship exists between cardiac function and UDF in women with ToF.

METHODS

We evaluated prospectively pregnant women with ToF and healthy pregnant women from the ZAHARA studies. Clinical evaluation, standardized echocardiography and UDF measurements were performed at 20 and 32 weeks' gestation.

RESULTS

We included 62 women with ToF and 69 healthy controls. Cardiac complications, mostly arrhythmia, occurred in 8.1% of women with ToF. There was a higher incidence of small-for-gestational age (21.0% vs 4.4%, P = 0.004) and low birth weight (16.1% vs 2.9%, P = 0.009) in the group of women with ToF than in healthy controls. In women with ToF, early diastolic notching of uterine artery waveform at 20 and 32 weeks occurred more frequently (9.8% vs 1.5%, P = 0.034 and 7.0% vs 0%, P = 0.025, respectively) and the umbilical artery pulsatility index at 32 weeks was higher (1.02 ± 0.20 vs 0.94 ± 0.17, P = 0.015) than in healthy controls. Right ventricular function parameters prepregnancy and at 20 weeks' gestation were significantly associated with abnormal UDF. UDF parameters were associated with adverse neonatal outcome.

CONCLUSION

The majority of women with surgically corrected ToF tolerate pregnancy well. However, UDF indices are more frequently abnormal in these women, suggesting impaired placentation. The association of impaired right ventricular function parameters with abnormal UDF suggests that cardiac dysfunction contributes to defective placentation or placental perfusion mismatch and may explain the increased incidence of obstetric and neonatal complications. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.