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Background: Unlike Europe and the United States, Japan has seen numerous maternal deaths from hemorrhagic strokes related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). This study retrospectively analyzed deaths associated with HDP-related hemorrhagic stroke in Japan to determine the number of deaths that may have been prevented with blood pressure control during pregnancy. Methods: This study included maternal deaths related to hemorrhagic stroke cases. The proportion of patients without proteinuria whose blood pressure exceeded 140/90 mmHg between 14+0 and 33+6 weeks of gestation were determined. Lastly, the application of tight antihypertensive management was evaluated. Results: Among 34 HDP-related maternal deaths, 4 cases involved patients without proteinuria whose blood pressures exceeded 140/90 mmHg between 14+0 and 33+6 weeks of gestation. These included two chronic hypertension and two gestational hypertension cases. None of the patients received antihypertensive agents, and their blood pressures were managed leniently. Conclusion: Among HDP-related hemorrhagic stroke deaths in Japan, only a few cases of maternal death could have been prevented with tight blood pressure management, as described in the CHIPS randomized controlled trial. Therefore, to prevent HDP-related hemorrhagic stroke in Japan, new preventive strategies during pregnancy should be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The goal of this study is to find clues to improve perinatal outcomes in the case of cerebrovascular acute disorders during pregnancy.Study Design: We analyzed 35 cases of cerebrovascular diseases related to maternal deaths in Japan those that occurred during pregnancy and reported to the Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare from 2010 to 2018.Results: Cerebrovascular acute disorders occurred at 34.6 ± 6.6 gestational weeks. There were seven intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFD), and eight cases showed neonatal asphyxia with umbilical arterial pH between 6.7 and 7.0 (asphyxia cases, n = 15). In two of eight newborns, brain hypothermia therapy was given, and all survived without neurological sequelae. Maternal dyspnea was significantly related to severe prolonged decelerations of the fetus (p < .05), and asphyxia cases (p < .005). Median time from maternal onset to delivery (OD time) was significantly longer in asphyxia cases than in the non-asphyxia cases (84 vs 29 min, p < .05). OD time over 30 min was significantly related to the antepartum occurrence, cervical dilatation <5 cm (p < .05), onset outside of the hospital (p < .001), and maternal transfer before delivery (p < .001).Conclusion: More than 40% of cases experienced fetal asphyxia, and 20% ended in IUFD in maternal deaths related to cerebrovascular acute disorders. Maternal respiratory support and rapid delivery would be the keys to improve perinatal outcomes in case of cerebrovascular acute disorders during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke is one of the major causes of maternal death. This study aimed to analyze the maternal and fetal outcomes of stroke occurred during pregnancy and puerperium. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our perinatology center between 1982 and 2012 with a diagnosis of acute cerebral stroke during pregnancy or within 6 weeks postpartum. Thirty-four patients were registered and all the patients had never been diagnosed as stroke nor detected cerebrovascular abnormalities before the current pregnancies. They were divided into 8 ischemic strokes (ISs) and 26 intracranial hemorrhage group. In the hemorrhage group, there was a spontaneous abortion and two patients chose artificial abortions to avoid rehemorrhage, and there were another three intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFDs) in the acute stage of maternal stroke. More patients in hemorrhage group delivered in preterm than in IS group for the treatment of stroke, 10/23 (43%) versus 0/8 (0%), p <.05. More patients in hemorrhage group had low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (3–8) than in IS group at the onset of the stroke, 12/26 (46%) versus 0/8 (0%), p <.05. There were three maternal deaths and 6/23 (26%) were neurologically dependent in hemorrhage group in the chronic stage, whereas 87% were independent in IS group, p <.05. Hemorrhagic stroke was more common etiology of stroke related to pregnancy than IS in this study. Intensive and multidisciplinary care was needed especially in hemorrhagic stroke related to pregnancy as in the hemorrhagic stroke the fetal survival rate was lower, and maternal conscious levels at the onset of the stroke and neurological outcomes in the chronic stage were worse than IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In Japan, the frequency of maternal deaths due to obstetric hemorrhage has been decreasing in the last decade, while that resulting from other causes such as pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) was consistent. To help reduce maternal deaths due to PTE, we investigated PTE during pregnancy and puerperium and compared the survival and death cases, and aimed to find out life and death factors. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis based on a clinical chart review in 407 maternal and perinatal centers. We compared the survival and death cases of PTE during pregnancy and puerperium from 2013 to 2017. Results: In PTE during pregnancy, the survival cases underwent significantly earlier diagnoses than the death cases, and thromboprophylaxis was performed in most of both the survival and death cases of PTE during puerperium according to the existing Japanese guidelines; however, only one fourth of the total cases underwent anticoagulation to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Conclusions: Early diagnosis of PTE in suspected cases was associated with better survival during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We reviewed malignancy related maternal deaths in Japan to ascertain if there were avoidable factors.Methods: Malignancy-related maternal death in Japan reported to the Maternal Death Exploratory Committee, from 2010 to 2016 inclusive.Results: There were 12 cases of maternal death caused by malignancy. There were four gastric cancers (two poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, one signet ring cell carcinoma with adenocarcinoma, one histology not available), 3 leukemia (two acute myeloid leukemia, one aggressive NK cell leukemia), two ureteral cancers (histology not available), one malignant lymphoma (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with translocation), one brain tumor (gliomatosis cerebri), and one cervical cancer (glassy cell carcinoma). Two gastric cancer patients had chronic gastric pain before conception. In two cases the physicians commented that they had avoided computed tomography and the brain biopsy needed for diagnosis because the patient was pregnant. At diagnosis, the clinical stages were II-IV in 9, and the performance status was 3-5 in 8. Indication for delivery was exacerbated maternal condition in 5, for treatment in 3, spontaneous labor in 3, and one patient declined elective delivery. Median [interquartile rage] (range) gestational weeks of delivery was 29 [24-30] (19-40). One cervical cancer patient had a radical hysterectomy and chemotherapy for 10 months. However, three leukemia and one gastric cancer patients had chemotherapy within 10 d because they deteriorated rapidly. Another seven cases did not have any treatment because of poor general condition or because they remained undiagnosed. In all cases, the Committee considered that there was no evidence of substandard care.Conclusion: In these cases, both the clinical stages and biological degree of malignancy were high. In two-thirds of cases, early termination of the pregnancy was indicated because of deteriorating maternal condition. Chemotherapy was not effective because of short available time for therapy and the advanced stage of the cancers when diagnosed. Encouraging women to have a thorough medical assessment before conception, and early diagnosis and treatment before pregnancy, appears to be the only practical way to reduce deaths from malignancy while a woman is pregnant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) is a major cause of maternal death. The goal of this study was to investigate factors associated with maternal death due to HDP. Study design: HDP-related maternal deaths in Japan reported to the Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare from 2010 to 2015 were examined. Results: Out of 47 cases of HDP, 30 were identified as the major cause of maternal death. The median maternal age was 34 years (range 24-45) and the mortality in women aged ≥40 years was seven times higher that than in women aged <34 years. The etiologies were intracerebral hemorrhage (n = 22), subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 3), subcapsular hematoma of the liver (n = 2), peripartum cardiomyopathy (n = 2), and eclampsia (n = 1), and 19 cases were deemed preventable. The most frequent antepartum problems were delays in hospitalization, maternal transfer, and termination of pregnancy. In four cases, diagnosis of HELLP syndrome was too late because laboratory data were not checked, despite the patient reporting epigastric pain or showing elevation of blood pressure (BP). Treatment for lowering of BP was improper in 2/3 intrapartum cases, even though BP was elevated during pregnancy (144 versus 188 mmHg, p < .001). There was inadequate lowering of BP and lack of use of magnesium sulfate in 7/11 postpartum cases (64%), despite aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < .005), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < .01), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p < .005), and platelet count (PLT) (p < .01) all significantly worsening after delivery. Conclusion: HDP accounts for 11% of maternal deaths in Japan. Mothers aged ≥40 years are most at risk for HDP-related maternal death. Major concerns for preventabilities were late hospitalization, maternal transportation, and termination of pregnancy for term or near-term HDP. Regular vital checks and prompt lowering of BP were lacked during labor in most cases. HELLP syndrome should be managed at a general hospital with sufficient medical resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke is one of the major causes of maternal death. This study aimed to analyze the maternal and fetal outcomes of stroke occurred during pregnancy and puerperium.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our perinatology center between 1982 and 2012 with a diagnosis of acute cerebral stroke during pregnancy or within 6 weeks postpartum.Results: Thirty-four patients were registered and all the patients had never been diagnosed as stroke nor detected cerebrovascular abnormalities before the current pregnancies. They were divided into 8 ischemic strokes (ISs) and 26 intracranial hemorrhage group. In the hemorrhage group, there was a spontaneous abortion and two patients chose artificial abortions to avoid rehemorrhage, and there were another three intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFDs) in the acute stage of maternal stroke. More patients in hemorrhage group delivered in preterm than in IS group for the treatment of stroke, 10/23 (43%) versus 0/8 (0%), p < .05. More patients in hemorrhage group had low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (3-8) than in IS group at the onset of the stroke, 12/26 (46%) versus 0/8 (0%), p < .05. There were three maternal deaths and 6/23 (26%) were neurologically dependent in hemorrhage group in the chronic stage, whereas 87% were independent in IS group, p < .05.Conclusions: Hemorrhagic stroke was more common etiology of stroke related to pregnancy than IS in this study. Intensive and multidisciplinary care was needed especially in hemorrhagic stroke related to pregnancy as in the hemorrhagic stroke the fetal survival rate was lower, and maternal conscious levels at the onset of the stroke and neurological outcomes in the chronic stage were worse than IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• All cardiac events occurred during the postpartum period among women with complete atrioventricular block (CAVB). • Postpartum cardiac events occurred in 14.3% of pregnancies with CAVB. • Ventricular pause and family history are predictors of postpartum cardiac events. • No further increases in heart rate were found during the second and third trimesters. • Close follow-up is needed during the postpartum period for high-risk CAVB women. Women with complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) can tolerate hemodynamic changes during pregnancy; however, the incidence of cardiac events in women with CAVB may increase after delivery. The aim of this study was to investigate predictive factors for postpartum cardiac events in pregnant women with CAVB. Pregnant women with CAVB who received perinatal management at a tertiary cardiac center from 1981 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses of postpartum cardiac events were performed. Postpartum cardiac event was defined as cardiopulmonary arrest, cardiac failure, or the need for permanent pacemaker implantation (p-PMI) within 3 months after delivery. A total of 63 pregnancies in 36 women with CAVB were included in this study; 25 had undergone p-PMI before pregnancy. Regardless of p-PMI status, women with CAVB had no further increases in heart rate during the second and third trimesters. No heart failure was found during pregnancy and delivery. Postpartum cardiac events occurred in 9 pregnancies (14.3%) in 8 women with CAVB; 3 had cardiac failure and p-PMI, 3 had cardiac failure, 2 required p-PMI, and 1 had cardiopulmonary arrest. Multivariate analysis showed that perinatal ventricular pause (odds ratio 11.60, 95% confidence interval 1.90–82.18, p < 0.01) and family history of CAVB (odds ratio 10.59, 95% confidence interval 1.36–90.56, p = 0.03) were associated with postpartum cardiac events. All cardiac events occurred during the postpartum period among women with CAVB, and ventricular pause during the perinatal period and a family history of CAVB were predictors of postpartum cardiac events. Close follow-up should be considered during the postpartum period for women with high-risk CAVB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The number of stroke-related maternal deaths is increasing in Japan. We investigated methods to reduce maternal death from stroke.Methods: We analyzed stroke-related maternal deaths in Japan reported to the Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare from 2010 to 2014 inclusive.Results: A total of 35 cases were identified. The median maternal age was 35 years (range 22-45) and the incidence of stoke in women ≥40 was seven-fold higher than in <34. Etiologies were pregnancy induced hypertension in 16, subarachnoid hemorrhage in seven, cerebral infarction in three, arteriovenous malformation in two, Moyamoya disease in one, and origin unknown cerebral hemorrhage in six. These cases occurred in antepartum 43%, in postpartum 31%, and in intrapartum 26%. 23 cases were deemed non-preventable and 12 cases preventable. Possible preventable factors occurred antepartum in 23, postpartum in seven, and intrapartum in six. Preventable features included inadequate hypertension control (33%), presenting too late for termination of pregnancy (14%), delayed hospitalization (11%), and delayed maternal transfer (11%).Conclusions: A total of 90% of strokes were hemorrhagic, and older mothers (≥ 40) were most at risk. Most possible preventable factors occurred antepartum, and improved control of hypertension and earlier termination would help to reduce maternal death from stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To clarify the perinatal outcomes in pregnancy complicated with intracranial arteriovenous malformation (i‐AVM). Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 36 pregnancies complicated by i‐AVM from 1981 to 2013 at one institution. Results: In total, 6 women miscarried, and 30 had live births. The median (range) gestational age at delivery was 38 (24–40) weeks; 11 cases experienced initial i‐AVM rupture during pregnancy (first, second and third trimester: 18%, 64% and 18%, respectively). At onset, 4 cases had a Glasgow Coma Scale ≤10, 10 cases needed emergency maternal transport, 4 underwent neurosurgery with the fetus in utero and 4 had termination of pregnancy in the second trimester for emergent treatment for i‐AVM. Two cases delivered vaginally. Another 25 cases had already been diagnosed as i‐AVM at conception. Of these, as an indication for epidural birth, 18 cases had either residual lesion of i‐AVM or neurological symptoms, although 18 cases had received treatments of i‐AVM before conception. Without rupture of i‐AVM and worsening of symptoms, 15 cases succeeded in epidural birth. One case was delivered by cesarean section for residual i‐AVM with indication of treatment. Another case who had refused treatment of i‐AVM experienced rupture of i‐AVM 1 year after delivery. Conclusion: Most of the cases with residual i‐AVM lesion and neurological symptoms could deliver vaginally without worsening of symptoms. However, pregnancy with i‐AVM can be complicated by rupture of i‐AVM. In cases with a residual lesion with indication of treatment and rupture of i‐AVM during pregnancy, meticulous care is required during pregnancy and after delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To clarify the necessity for and problems related to autopsy for determining the cause of maternal death in Japan.Methods: Women who died during pregnancy or within a year after delivery were analyzed by the Maternal Death Exploratory Committee between 2012 and 2015 in Japan. Maternal deaths were analyzed to verify the requirement of autopsy in cases in which autopsy was performed and the need for autopsy in cases in which it was not performed.Results: Among the 49 cases performed autopsy, the final diagnosis was compatible with the clinical course in 24 cases, while the autopsy diagnosis was incompatible with the clinical course in 13 cases. In two cases, the final diagnosis was based on the clinical course, but an autopsy could exclude other possible causes. In three cases, no exact cause of maternal death was identified after autopsy. On the other hand, in cases without an autopsy, the final diagnosis was made using ante-mortem operating findings and surgical specimens in twenty-one cases. Though, thirty-one cases were estimated diagnosis based on post-mortem imaging or ante-mortem examinations, the exact original cause of death was not determined in 25 cases, and the cause of death could not be identified in eight cases without autopsy.Conclusion: Because in most cases the autopsy provides an exact cause of death, the necessity of autopsies should be more widely accepted in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Because the management of cerebral aneurysms during pregnancy remains controversial, the objective of this study was to perform a retrospective review of pregnant women with cerebral aneurysms to determine whether pregnancy is a risk factor for aneurysm rupture.Methods: The change in size of aneurysms during pregnancy was examined by performing repeat magnetic resonance angiography in five pregnant women with cerebral aneurysms between 2005 and 2013. The outcome examined was development of subarachnoid hemorrhage.Results: Among the five pregnancies, there were eight cerebral aneurysms. Subarachnoid hemorrhage did not developed during any pregnancy. In four of the pregnancies, the cerebral aneurysms did not change in size during pregnancy, remaining 2-5 mm. Although in one pregnancy, the aneurysm increased from 6 to 7 mm during the third trimester, it returned to its original size in the postpartum period.Conclusions: We suggest that if the cerebral aneurysm is small (≤ 5 mm), it is likely to remain unchanged despite the increase in circulating blood volume during pregnancy. Cerebral aneurysms greater than 5 mm but without blebs, irregular shape, high-risk location, or increased aspect ratio are also at low risk of rupture and are not likely to change during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), both genetic and acquired, increase the risk of maternal death (MD) unless proper genetic/clinical counseling is provided and a multidisciplinary approach is adopted during pregnancy. In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of women with CVD of child-bearing age and in the incidence of pregnancy among relatively older women. However, the impact of this phenomenon on MD has not been carefully investigated. Methods This retrospective study compares the incidence and etiology of maternal deaths related to cardiovascular disease (MD-CVD) in Japan in 2010–2012 to that seen in 1991–1992. Results Seven cases of MD-CVD were reported in 1991–1992, compared to 15 in 2010–2012. In 2010–2012, the causes included aortic dissection ( n = 5), peripartum cardiomyopathy ( n = 3), sudden adult/arrhythmic death syndrome ( n = 2), acute cardiomyopathy ( n = 2), pulmonary hypertension ( n = 2), and myocardial infarction ( n = 1), and four of these causes were not encountered in 1991–1992. The incidence of MD over the total number of pregnancies decreased from 9.4 per 100,000 cases in 1990–1992 to 4.6 per 100,000 cases in 2010–2012 ( p < 0.05). However, the incidence of MD-CVD over the number of cases of MD increased from 2.9% in 1991–1992 to 9.7% in 2010–2012 ( p < 0.05). Conclusions The present study demonstrates that the rate of MD-CVD among the cases of MD has increased 3-fold in Japan over the past 20 years. Thus, it is of critical importance to better understand the etiologies and early signs of MD-CVD and to devise an effective management program for pregnancies complicated by CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Cesarean section is commonly selected in pregnancy with Moyamoya disease. We consider vaginal delivery with epidural anesthesia a viable alternative in such cases. Methods Mode of delivery and outcomes were examined in 27 pregnancies in 19 women with Moyamoya disease treated at the Department of Perinatology, National Cardiovascular Center, Japan, from 1983 to 2013. Of these 27 pregnancies, 20 were delivered vaginally with epidural anesthesia. The cerebral circulation, mode of delivery, maternal outcome (presence of symptoms due to Moyamoya disease intrapartum) and neonatal outcome (gestational week, birthweight, Apgar score at 5 min and pH of umbilical artery) were investigated. Results The cerebral circulation was judged to be good in all pregnancies. No symptoms due to Moyamoya disease intrapartum were seen in the vaginal delivery cases. Conclusion Our findings indicate that vaginal delivery is viable in pregnancy with Moyamoya disease and that unnecessary cesarean section may be avoided. These findings are limited by the retrospective nature of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to analyze the causes and outcomes for intracerebral hemorrhage ( ICH) occurring during pregnancy and postnatally. Material and Methods A nationwide study of pregnancy-related ICH in Japan was performed. We contacted 1582 facilities to identify women with ICH in pregnancy or postnatally between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2006. A total of 1012 facilities (70%) responded with completed questionnaires. Risk factors for ICH, neurological features, onset to diagnosis time ( O- D time), and obstetric data were recorded. Results Thirty-eight cases of pregnancy-associated ICH were identified, corresponding to 3.5 per 100 000 deliveries. There were seven maternal deaths, giving a case mortality rate of 18.4%. Pre-eclampsia was identified in 10 cases (26.3%) and hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count ( HELLP) syndrome was present in five. There were four cases (10.5%) with Moyamoya disease and seven (18.4%) with arteriovenous malformation. HELLP syndrome and moderately or severely disturbed consciousness at disease onset were significantly associated with a poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≥3). Pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and O-D time >3 h were significantly associated with maternal mortality. Conclusion Early diagnosis may prevent maternal death, even in severe cases of pregnancy-related ICH. However, maternal-fetal care centers do not always have full-time neurosurgeons or diagnostic imaging tools suitable for diagnosis of ICH. Thus, a network should be established between maternity centers and neurosurgery departments with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging available at all times. We recommend transferal of pregnant women with neurological symptoms to a regional facility that is equipped to treat such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A healthy pregnant woman at 28 weeks of gestation was admitted with complete loss of fetal movement. Fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring showed a fixed flat FHR pattern with no variability. Ultrasound examination revealed no fetal breathing movement. The fetus showed heart failure with extremely diminished left heart contractility. No abnormalities were found in the fetus. We assessed that the fetus was in a brain death-like status. After discussion, we decided not to deliver the baby but to monitor it carefully using FHR monitoring and continuous fetal ultrasound examinations, assuming the baby was dying or at least had little possibility of survival. However, 8 h after admission, FHR monitoring showed some variability and after another 12 h the fetus recovered completely. The baby was born at 35 week of gestation by cesarean section. The baby sustained some white matter brain damage, but with no significant clinical delay of motor development. This is a rare case of in utero recovery from a fetal brain death-like status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Women during labor may be susceptible to torsades de pointes (TdP), which may cause the fetal condition to deteriorate. The aim of the present investigation was to analyze maternal and fetal outcomes during labor when long QT syndrome (LQTS) was present.Methods: We examined the maternal and neonatal outcomes of 25 pregnancies (18 women) with LQT between 1995 and 2012 at the Department of Perinatology, National Cardiovascular Center, Japan. Maternal and neonatal outcomes including cardiovascular events, cardiovascular events within a week after delivery, caesarean delivery rate, still births, preterm births, and non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern (NRFHR) during labor were investigated.Results: All the mothers survived, and no cardiovascular events occurred in labor or postpartum due to LQTS in either vaginal delivery or caesarean delivery. A total of 23 women (92%) had used beta blockers in this study. Caesarean delivery was performed due to NRFHR during labor in 5 pregnancies (20%).Conclusion: Delivery when LQTS is present has a low likelihood of cardiovascular events, but pregnancy with LQTS had a higher caesarean delivery rate due to NRFHR in labor. Most women used beta blockers in this study, and it is possible that beta blocker use prevents cardiovascular events during labor. NRFHR during labor may be related with inherited LQT through the mother. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is defined as the sudden death of a patient with epilepsy in the absence of an anatomic or toxicologic cause. Whether pregnancy is a risk factor for SUDEP is unclear. Using data submitted to the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (JAOG), which has been collating information regarding all maternal deaths in Japan since 2000, this study evaluated maternal mortality data from 2010 to 2019 to evaluate the current circumstances of maternal death related to SUDEP in Japan. Six women died due to SUDEP during this period; the maternal mortality rate related to SUDEP was 0.066/100,000 individuals. Two women each died during the second trimester, third trimester, and postpartum period. Four and two women were receiving monotherapy and no therapy with anti-epileptic drugs, respectively. The duration of epilepsy was ≤15 years in three women, >15 years in one woman, and unknown in two women. This study furthers our understanding of the prevalence of maternal deaths due to SUDEP in Japan. Further studies are needed to confirm whether pregnancy is a risk factor for SUDEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The goal of the study was to examine risks in pregnancy in patients with Ebstein anomaly. Study Design: Data were examined retrospectively for 13 patients (27 pregnancies, 21 live births) with Ebstein anomaly during pregnancy who were treated at our institution from 1985 to 2011. The associated anomalies in these patients were atrial septal defect (ASD) (n = 4) and the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (n = 6). Results: Before pregnancy, 2 patients underwent ASD closure and 1 received tricuspid valve replacement (TVR). In all patients, the cardiothoracic ratio increased from 55.1 at conception to 57.0 during pregnancy and 58.0 postpartum (P < .05). Cesarean sections were performed in 3 cases: 1 with ventricular tachycardia and orthopnea (New York Heart Association [NYHA] III) preterm; at full term, and the third in a patient with a mechanical tricuspid valve who developed maternal cerebellum hemorrhage at 27 weeks. The baby died of prematurity in the third case. In all other cases (20 of 21), neonatal prognoses were good without congenital heart diseases. There were 6 spontaneous abortions. Recurrent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia occurred during pregnancy in 2 cases and was treated with adenosine triphosphate or verapamil. In 17 pregnancies, NYHA remained in class I and all had full-term vaginal delivery. Conclusion: Maternal and fetal outcomes are good in patients with Ebstein anomaly and NYHA class I. However, pregnancy in Ebstein anomaly can be complicated with tachyarrhythmia or cardiac failure. In post-TVR cases, meticulous care is required for these complications during pregnancy and delivery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]