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Pregnancy Outcomes in Women after the Fontan Procedure.

Authors :
Bartczak-Rutkowska, Agnieszka
Tomkiewicz-Pająk, Lidia
Kawka-Paciorkowska, Katarzyna
Bajorek, Natalia
Ciepłucha, Aleksandra
Ropacka-Lesiak, Mariola
Trojnarska, Olga
Source :
Journal of Clinical Medicine; Feb2023, Vol. 12 Issue 3, p783, 9p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Women with single ventricle physiology after the Fontan procedure, despite numerous possible complications, can reach adulthood and give birth. Pregnancy poses a hemodynamic burden for distorted physiology of Fontan circulation, but according to the literature, it is usually well tolerated unless the patient is a "failing" Fontan. Our study aimed to assess maternal and fetal outcomes in patients after the Fontan procedure followed up in two tertiary Polish medical centers. We retrospectively evaluated all pregnancies in women after the Fontan procedure who were followed up between 1995–2022. During the study period, 15 women after the Fontan procedure had 26 pregnancies. Among 26 pregnancies, eleven ended with miscarriages, and 15 pregnancies resulted in 16 live births. Fetal complications were observed in 9 (56.3%) live births, with prematurity being the most common complication (n = 7, 43.8%). We recorded 3 (18.8%) neonatal deaths. Obstetrical complications were present in 6 (40%) out of 15 completed pregnancies—two (13.3%) cases of abruptio placentae, two (13.3%) pregnancies with premature rupture of membranes, and two (13.3%) patients with antepartum hemorrhage. There was neither maternal death nor heart failure decompensation during pregnancy. In two (13.3%) women, atrial arrhythmia developed. One (6.7%) patient in the second trimester developed ventricular arrhythmia. None of the patients suffered from systemic thromboembolism during pregnancy. Pregnancy in women after the Fontan procedure is well tolerated. However, it is burdened by a high risk of miscarriage and multiple obstetrical complications. These women require specialized care provided by both experienced cardiologists and obstetricians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20770383
Volume :
12
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
161858464
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12030783