Prevalence of Mitral Valve Disease in Pregnancy and its Effects on Maternal-Fetal Outcomes

Abstract

Objective: Heart diseases are among the most prevalent diseases that endanger the life of both mother and fetus and cause complications for them. Rheumatic mitral valve is the most prevalent organic involvement in pregnant women with mitral valve disease in Southeast Asia. Mitral valve disease is a serious and common problem for pregnant women. Despite medical and surgical advances in treatment of heart diseases, it is still the fourth cause of mortality in pregnant women. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of mitral valve disease in pregnancy and its effects on maternal-fetal outcomes. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on pregnant women with heart problems who were selected through convenience sampling. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 17.0. Results: Findings showed that heart valve problems were the most frequent medical history of pregnant women. Among the subjects, the most prevalent heart disease was related to Mitral Stenosis (MS) (39.6%) and mitral valve prolapse (MVP) (22.8%). The most frequent causes of hospitalization were high blood pressure (43.2%) and chest pain (38.2%). The mean age of participants was 25 +/- 83 years. Conclusion: Heart diseases during pregnancy are highly risky, but their progress and complications for mother and fetus can be avoided by constant prevention and treatment before and during pregnancy.