Risk Associated With Valvular Regurgitation During Pregnancy

BACKGROUND Pregnancies in women with regurgitant valve lesions are generally considered low risk, but this has not been well studied. OBJECTIVES This study determined the frequency of adverse cardiac events (CEs) in pregnant women with moderate or severe regurgitant valve lesions. METHODS Maternal and fetal outcomes in women with moderate or severe chronic valve regurgitation enrolled in a prospective multicenter study on pregnancy outcomes were examined. Adverse CEs included heart failure, sustained arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, or death. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify determinants of CEs in women at the highest risk. RESULTS Outcomes of 430 pregnancies in women with moderate or severe regurgitant lesions were examined: 145 with mitral regurgitation (MR), 101 with pulmonary regurgitation (PR), 71 with multivalve disease, 73 with tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and 40 with aortic regurgitation (AR). Most women had associated congenital or acquired heart disease. Adverse CEs occurred in 13% of pregnancies: 27% of pregnancies with multivalve disease; 15% with MR; 15% with TR; 5% with AR; and 3% with PR. Maternal mortality was rare. In women with MR, TR, or multivalve disease (n = 289), left ventricular systolic dysfunction (p = 0.001), pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.005), and cardiac events before pregnancy (p < 0.001) were important determinants of CEs during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Women with AR and PR are at low risk for cardiac complications during pregnancy. While many women with MR, TR, and multivalve regurgitation do well during pregnancy, additional clinical variables help stratify those at highest risk. This new information will enhance the quality and precision of preconception counseling and pregnancy planning. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2021;77:2656-64) (c) 2021 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the frequency of adverse cardiac events in pregnant women with moderate or severe regurgitant valve lesions. Results indicated that women with multivalve disease had the highest rate of adverse events, while those with aortic regurgitation and pulmonary regurgitation were at lower risk.