[Perinatal management and pregnancy outcome in pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension complicating cardiac disease].

Objective: To evaluate the pregnancy outcome of women with pulmonary hypertension complicating cardiac disease.

Methods: Clinical data of 61 cases of pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension from Jan 1996 to Aug 2004 were analyzed and they were divided into three groups: 32 cases of slight group [pulmonary hypertension from 30 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) to 49 mm Hg], 23 cases of moderate group (pulmonary hypertension from 50 mm Hg to 79 mm Hg) and 6 cases of severe group (pulmonary hypertension equal to or higher than 80 mm Hg). The types of heart disease, cardiac functional status (New York heart association, NYHA), gestational weeks of pregnancy termination, mode of delivery and outcomes of infants were compared between the groups.

Results: (1) The occurrence rate of NYHA class III - IV was 5/6 in severe group. The rate of NYHA class I - II was 72% (23/32) in slight group. (2) The rate of moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension was 53% (11/21) and of NYHA class IV 43% (9/21) in rheumatic heart disease. The rate of slight pulmonary hypertension was 97% (35/36) and NYHA class I - II 81% (29/36) in congenital heart disease. (3) The rate of term delivery was 75% (24/32) and the birth weight was 2744 g on average in slight group. The rate of term delivery was 48% (11/23), preterm labor 35% (8/23), abortion 17% (4/23) in moderate group. The rate of term delivery was 1/6, preterm labor occurred in 3 cases, and abortion in 2 cases in severe group. The rates of neonatal complications between the three groups had no significant difference. (4) Caesarean section rate was 79% (48/61) among all patients. (5) Overall maternal mortality was 2% (1/61).

Conclusions: The rate of heart failure increases gradually with the severity of pulmonary hypertension. The severity of pulmonary hypertension in rheumatic heart disease is higher than in congenital heart disease. The rate of maternal mortality and fetal loss increases in pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension complicating cardiac disease. Perinatal morbidity is higher than normal. Cesarean section is more suitable for those women.