M G Schoon1, R H Bam, L Wolmarans. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein.
Abstract
AIM: Description of maternal outcome of pregnancies complicated by cardiac disease. SETTING: Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein. POPULATION: Black African women of low socio-economic background who presented with cardiac disease during pregnancy. SAMPLE: All patients who delivered from 1 January 1990 to 1 January 1995. DESIGN: Descriptive retrospective study. RESULTS: Cardiac disease complicated 0.6% of pregnancies. Rheumatic valvular disease dominated in this population. The maternal mortality rate was 9.5% while the maternal morbidity rate ranged from 50% to 100% for the various lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac disease in pregnancy has high maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Hypertension, anticoagulation therapy, late referrals and inadequate counselling were important contributing factors. A high priority should be given to meticulous contraceptive counselling in patients with cardiac disease. Collaboration between obstetricians, physicians and cardiothoracic surgeons in imperative.
AIM: Description of maternal outcome of pregnancies complicated by cardiac disease. SETTING: Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein. POPULATION: Black African women of low socio-economic background who presented with cardiac disease during pregnancy. SAMPLE: All patients who delivered from 1 January 1990 to 1 January 1995. DESIGN: Descriptive retrospective study. RESULTS:Cardiac disease complicated 0.6% of pregnancies. Rheumatic valvular disease dominated in this population. The maternal mortality rate was 9.5% while the maternal morbidity rate ranged from 50% to 100% for the various lesions. CONCLUSIONS:Cardiac disease in pregnancy has high maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Hypertension, anticoagulation therapy, late referrals and inadequate counselling were important contributing factors. A high priority should be given to meticulous contraceptive counselling in patients with cardiac disease. Collaboration between obstetricians, physicians and cardiothoracic surgeons in imperative.