Maternal and fetal outcomes in rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy

Background: Preexisting cardiac disease is seen in 1-3% of pregnancies. In developing countries, sequelae of rheumatic fever often constitute the majority of women with heart disease; whereas in developed countries, it is the congenital heart diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the changing trends and mode of care of women with Rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy over a period of five years in a tertiary care centre.Methods: Patient records over five years were retrieved and maternal and perinatal outcomes were documented. The present study reports the outcomes of 72 women with rheumatic heart disease.Results: The prevalence of heart disease in pregnancy in our study was 1.72%. The prevalence was higher among the rural population, and in lower socio economic strata. 30% of patients were diagnosed during pregnancy. The risk of complications co - related with their functional status at the onset of pregnancy. The mode of termination of pregnancy and indications for LSCS did not vary. However, the risk of complications was greatest during labour and post-partum period. The mean birth weight was 2.7 kg, however, 30% of term neonates were of low birth weight (<2.5 kg).Conclusions: Rheumatic heart disease continues to be a major cause of cardiac disease complicating pregnancy. However, early diagnosis, appropriate management prior to pregnancy, and good functional status at the time of entering pregnancy allowed for a good maternal and neonatal outcome.

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Rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0253581 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0253581

Author(s):

Joshua Liaw ◽

Betrice Walker ◽

Leanne Hall ◽

Susan Gorton ◽

Andrew V. White ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Disease ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Rheumatic Heart Disease ◽

Perinatal Death ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Heart Association ◽

Fetal Outcomes ◽

Percutaneous Balloon ◽

Rheumatic Heart ◽

In Pregnancy

Purpose Associations between rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in pregnancy and fetal outcomes are relatively unknown. This study aimed to review rates and predictors of major adverse fetal outcomes of RHD in pregnancy. Methods Medline (Ovid), Pubmed, EMcare, Scopus, CINAHL, Informit, and WHOICTRP databases were searched for studies that reported rates of adverse perinatal events in women with RHD during pregnancy. Outcomes included preterm birth, intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR), low-birth weight (LBW), perinatal death and percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty intervention. Meta-analysis of fetal events by the New-York Heart Association (NYHA) heart failure classification, and the Mitral-valve Area (MVA) severity score was performed with unadjusted random effects models and heterogeneity of risk ratios (RR) was assessed with the I2 statistic. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020161529). Findings The search identified 5949 non-duplicate records of which 136 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 22 studies included, 11 studies were eligible for meta-analyses. In 3928 pregnancies, high rates of preterm birth (9.35%-42.97%), LBW (12.98%-39.70%), IUGR (6.76%-22.40%) and perinatal death (0.00%-9.41%) were reported. NYHA III/IV pre-pregnancy was associated with higher rates of preterm birth (5 studies, RR 2.86, 95%CI 1.54–5.33), and perinatal death (6 studies, RR 3.23, 1.92–5.44). Moderate /severe mitral stenosis (MS) was associated with higher rates of preterm birth (3 studies, RR 2.05, 95%CI 1.02–4.11) and IUGR (3 studies, RR 2.46, 95%CI 1.02–5.95). Interpretation RHD during pregnancy is associated with adverse fetal outcomes. Maternal NYHA III/IV and moderate/severe MS in particular may predict poor prognosis.

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