Publication:

A clinical study of maternal outcome in women with heart disease in pregnancy at tertiary care centre

Background Cardiac disease in pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy and it complicates 2% of all pregnancies and contributes to about one fifth of all maternal deaths.

Methods This was a prospective observational study conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, enrolling 50 consecutive subjects fulfilling inclusion criteria of pregnancy with heart disease admitted in OBICU, labour room, antenatal and postnatal wards of a tertiary health care centre, New Civil Hospital, Surat, Gujarat over a period of around 1 year.

Results Majority of our patients belonged to age group of 25-35 years (56%) and urban residence (70%). 50% of our subjects were already booked case and 56% were multiparous. 78% were enrolled in last trimester. Majority of our patients, 70% had undergone LSCS. 42% were presented with dyspnoea. 68% had acquired heart disease. RHD is the most common cardiac disease. Heart failure is the most common cardiac complications. Hypertension is most common non-cardiac complications associated with pregnancy with cardiac disease.

Conclusions The management of pregnancy with cardiac disease requires to strengthen preconception counselling and early registration at tertiary health care center for risk assessment, optimizing cardiac status and planning appropriate care and multidisciplinary approach to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.