Pregnancy in mothers with prosthetic heart valves.

Abstract

Prosthetic mechanical valves have a high risk condition for patients in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of pregnancy in mothers with prosthetic heart valves. In this cross sectional study, we compared incidence of thromboembolic attacks abortion and maternal and fetal complications in 19 patients with prosthetic heart valves. We reviewed medical records, also office visit and follow up of these women for 10 years. Between 10 years we studied 19 patients, 13 had mechanical heart valves with mean ages of 28.2 +/- 5.43, 4 cases with bioprosthetic valves with mean age of 25.4 +/- 4.12 and 2 cases of valve repaired 27.00 +/- 7.07. Seven women were uniparous 8 cases were in second pregnancy, one had 3rd and another one were gravid 4th. There was a mean interval between valve surgery and pregnancy of 7.65 +/- 6.07 (1-23) years. Dominant underling disease for valve replacement was rheumatic. In conclusion bridge anticoagulation during pregnancy is safe for mother and fetus in women with mechanical heart valves.