Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of mechanical prosthetic heart valves (MPHV) in pregnancy in the UK; rates of maternal and fetal complications in this group of women, and whether these vary with the anticoagulation used during pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive population-based study. SETTING: All consultant-led maternity units in the UK. POPULATION: All women with an MPHV who were pregnant between 1 February 2013 and 31 January 2015. METHODS: Collection and analysis of anonymous data relating to pregnancy management and outcome, using the UKOSS notification and data collection system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal death, serious maternal morbidity, poor fetal outcome. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 58 women giving an estimated incidence of 3.7 (95% CI 2.7-4.7) per 100 000 maternities. There were five maternal deaths (9%); a further 24 (41%) suffered serious maternal morbidity. There was a poor fetal outcome from 26 (47%) pregnancies. Only 16 (28%) women had a good maternal and good fetal outcome. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was used throughout pregnancy by 71% of women. Of these, 83% required rapid dose escalation in the first trimester. Monitoring regimens lacked consistency. CONCLUSIONS: This study has estimated the incidence of MPHV in pregnant women in the UK. It includes the largest cohort managed with LMWH throughout pregnancy reported to date. It demonstrates a high rate of maternal death, and serious maternal and fetal morbidity. Women with MPHVs, and their clinicians need to appreciate the significant maternal and fetal risks involved in pregnancy. Care should be concentrated in specialist centres. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: High rates of poor maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/1471-0528.14478

Type

Journal article

Journal

BJOG

Publication Date

08/2017

Volume

124

Pages

1411 - 1419

Keywords

Anticoagulation, fetal outcome, maternal outcome, mechanical prosthetic heart valve, pregnancy, Adolescent, Adult, Anticoagulants, Female, Heart Valve Diseases, Heart Valve Prosthesis, Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight, Humans, Incidence, Maternal Mortality, Middle Aged, Practice Patterns, Physicians', Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular, Pregnancy Outcome, Prenatal Care, Prognosis, Prospective Studies, United Kingdom, Young Adult