Congenital Heart Disease in Pregnancy

Introduction: Pregnancy, birth, and the puerperium are associated with significant physiological changes and adaptations in the cardiovascular system, which pose a significant risk to pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD). Thanks to advances in pediatric cardiac surgery and cardiology the majority of children with CHD survive to adulthood, and an increasing number eventually become pregnant. In fact, cardiac disease - mostly congenital - is now a leading cause of maternal death in western industrialized countries. Methods: Selective literature review. Results and discussion: Optimal care of women with CHD before, during, and after pregnancy requires a multidisciplinary team including obstetricians, cardiologists, and anaesthetists. Successful pregnancy at a minimum risk is feasible for most women with CHD when appropriate counseling and optimal care are provided. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2008; 105(19): 347-54 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0347