Congenital Heart Disease and Reproductive Risk: An Overview for Obstetricians, Cardiologists, and Primary Care Providers

Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2017 Oct-Dec;13(4):238-242. doi: 10.14797/mdcj-13-4-238.

Abstract

Patients with congenital heart disease have improved survival rates, and most patients are now expected to survive into adulthood. This improved survival has resulted in increasing numbers of women with congenital heart disease who are of childbearing age. This patient population requires specialized advice on contraception and pregnancy risk. Understanding the unique challenges this population presents is key to providing appropriate care.

Keywords: CARPREG score; congenital heart disease; pregnancy; pregnancy risk; tetralogy of Fallot.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiologists / organization & administration*
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / complications
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / mortality
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / physiopathology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Obstetrics / organization & administration*
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration*
  • Patient Safety
  • Physicians, Primary Care / organization & administration*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / etiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / mortality
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / therapy*
  • Reproduction*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome