Surgery for acute type a aortic dissection in a pregnant woman at 28 weeks' gestation

Abstract A 27-year-old woman with sudden back pain was transported to our hospital. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed pregnancy of 28 weeks' gestation. Computed tomography demonstrated a type A aortic dissection. Because of progressive fetal deterioration, an emergency cesarean section was forced to perform. The next day, simple hysterectomy followed by an aortic procedure was completed. Valve-sparing aortic replacement and total arch replacement were employed as central operations. The mother and baby are well 9 months postoperatively. Although the strategy for acute type A aortic dissection during pregnancy is controversial, collaborations among neonatologists, obstetricians, and cardiovascular surgeons can ensure mother and infant survival.

Non-fluoroscopic radiofrequency ablation of left atrial appendage tachycardia during early pregnancy

Abstract Management of symptomatic atrial tachycardia (AT) during pregnancy seems challenging, especially those originating from left atrial appendage (LAA), which easily tend to be incessant and mediate cardiomyopathy. It's contradictory between therapy and pregnancy. In this study, we report a case of a woman who presented with persistent AT, which lead to heart failure, during early pregnancy. She underwent successful catheter ablation using CartoSound and electroanatomic mapping without fluoroscopy. An electrophysiology (EP) study confirmed a focal LAA tachycardia. Soon after, left ventricular function of her heart normalized, and the patient successfully delivered a healthy child.

Heart Transplantation for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Single-Center Experience / Transplante Cardíaco por Cardiomiopatia Periparto: Uma Experiência de Centro Único

Abstract Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an idiopathic disorder defined by the occurrence of acute heart failure during late pregnancy or post-partum period in the absence of any other definable cause. Its clinical course is variable and severe cases might require heart transplantation. Objective: To investigate long-term outcomes after heart transplantation (HT) for peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Methods: Out of a single-center series of 1938 HT, 14 HT were performed for PPCM. We evaluated clinical characteristics, transplant-related complications, and long-term outcomes, in comparison with 28 sex-matched controls. Primary endpoint was death from any cause; secondary endpoints were transplant-related complications (rejection, infection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy). A value of p < 0.05 was considered of statistical significance. Results: PPCM patients and matched controls were comparable for most variables (all p values > 0.05), except for a higher use of inotropes at the time of HT in PPCM group (p = 0.03). During a median follow-up of 7.7 years, 16 patients died, 3 (21.5%) in PPCM group and 13 (46.5%) in control group. Mortality was significantly lower in PPCM group (p = 0.03). No significant difference was found in terms of transplant-related complications (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Long-term outcomes following HT for PPCM are favorable. Heart transplantation is a valuable option for PPCM patients who did not recover significantly under medical treatment.

Resumo Fundamento: A cardiomiopatia periparto é uma doença idiopática definida pela ocorrência de insuficiência cardíaca aguda durante a gravidez tardia ou pós-parto na ausência de qualquer outra causa definível. Seu curso clínico é variável e casos graves podem exigir transplante. cardíaco. Objetivo: Pesquisar os resultados a longo prazo após transplante cardíaco (TC) por cardiomiopatia periparto (CMPP). Métodos: De uma única série central de 1938 TC, 14 TC foram realizados por CMPP. Foram avaliadas características clínicas, complicações relacionadas ao transplante e resultados a longo prazo, em comparação com 28 controles pareados por gênero. O principal critério de avaliação foi a morte por qualquer causa; os critérios secundários foram complicações relacionadas ao transplante (rejeição, infecção, vasculopatia do aloenxerto cardíaco). Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significante. Resultados: As pacientes com CMPP e controles pareados foram comparáveis ​​para a maioria das variáveis (todos os valores de p > 0,05), exceto para um maior uso de inotrópicos no momento do TC no grupo CMPP (p = 0,03). Durante um seguimento médio de 7,7 anos, 16 pacientes morreram, 3 (21,5%) no grupo CMPP e 13 (46,5%) no grupo controle. A mortalidade foi significativamente menor no grupo CMPP (p = 0,03). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas em termos de complicações relacionadas ao transplante (p> 0,05). Conclusões: Os resultados a longo prazo após TC para CMPP são favoráveis. O transplante cardíaco é uma opção valiosa para pacientes com CMPP que não se recuperaram significativamente sob tratamento médico.

Endocarditis infecciosa de alto riesgo embolígeno durante el embarazo: ¿manejo conservador o quirúrgico? / High risk infective endocarditis embolism during pregnancy: Medical or surgical management?

Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 22 años de edad con embarazo de 14 semanas y endocarditis infecciosa de válvula mitral nativa con una vegetación de 15 mm con amplia movilidad, acompañada de insuficiencia valvular severa. Inicialmente, y pese al riesgo embolígeno, se dio tratamiento antibiótico durante 4 semanas. Por persistencia del tamaño de la vegetación se decide llevar a cirugía para reparación mitral y remoción de la lesión en la semana 18 de gestación, considerando que el balance entre el riesgo fetal y materno estaba a favor del procedimiento quirúrgico. Se usaron técnicas de protección fetal intraoperatoria y se colocó una prótesis biológica previo intento de reparación. La evolución postintervención fue satisfactoria, lográndose parto por cesárea a las 30 semanas.

A 22-year-old pregnant woman was seen at 14 weeks of pregnancy for infective endocarditis with a vegetation of 15 mm and wide mobility, which affected the native mitral valve accompanied by severe valvular insufficiency. Antibiotic treatment was given for 4 weeks despite the embolism risk. Due to persistence of vegetation size and after considering the fetal and maternal risk, the surgical procedure was favored. We decided to perform valvuloplasty and removal of lesion at 18 weeks of pregnancy. Fetal protection techniques were used and a bioprosthesis was placed before attempting a repair. The postoperative follow-up was satisfactory, achieving a successful birth by cesarean section at 30 weeks.

Colapso materno - Conduta da parada cardíaca na gravidez / Maternal collapse - Management of cardiac arrested in pregnancy

Colapso materno é evento incomum, pouco estudado, porém ameaça de modo iminente a vida da gestante e de seu concepto. Envolve diferentes etiologias e exige intervenção médica imediata, cujo sucesso será o principal definidor do prognóstico da paciente. Sendo assim, é indispensável o domínio do obstetra nas intervenções arroladas nesse evento, tais como: reanimação cardiopulmonar na grávida, cesárea perimortem e cuidados pós-parada cardíaca. Este artigo tem por objetivo atualizar, à luz da evidência científica, as condutas preconizadas em gestantes em colapso, agregando conhecimentos desde as interferências causadas pelas alterações fisiológicas da gravidez até as condutas de suporte básico e avançado de vida nas gestantes

Maternal collapse is an uncommon and poorly researched disorder, but it is so imminent threat to life the expectant mother and her fetus. It involves different etiologies and immediate medical intervention is the main factor guiding the patients' prognostics. As a result, the obstetrician's full grasp over the necessary interventions, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation during pregnancy, perimortem cesarean section and meticulous care after cardiac arrest, is crucial. The objective of this article is to update, according to recent scientific findings, the best practices in treating maternal collapse, from the analysis of the physiologic modifications caused by pregnancy to basic and advanced life support

Pregnancy and non-valvular heart disease - Anesthetic considerations.

Non-valvular heart disease is an important cause of cardiac disease in pregnancy and presents a unique challenge to the anesthesiologist during labor and delivery. A keen understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, in addition to the altered physiology of pregnancy, is the key to managing such patients. Disease-specific goals of management may help preserve the hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters within an acceptable limit and a successful conduct of labor and postpartum period..

Anesthetic management for emergency cesarean section and aortic valve replacement in a parturient with severe bicuspid aortic valve stenosis and congestive heart failure.

Asymptomatic women with mild aortic stenosis (AS) and normal left ventricular functions can successfully carry pregnancy to term and have vaginal deliveries. However, severe AS (valve area <1.0cm 2 ) can result in rapid clinical deterioration and maternal and fetal mortality. So, these patients require treatment of AS before conception or during pregnancy preferably in the second trimester. In suitable patients percutaneous balloon aortic valvutomy appears to carry lower risk. It can also be used as a palliative procedure allowing deferral of aortic valve replacement until after delivery. The present patient had severe critical AS with congestive heart failure that was refractory to medical therapy and the fetus was viable (>28wks). So, combined lower segment cesarean section and aortic valve replacement were performed under opioid based general anesthesia technique to reduce the cardiac morbidity and mortality.

Valvoplastia aórtica por cateter-balão em emergência materno-fetal na adolescência / Aortic valvuloplasty with balloon catheter in maternal-fetal emergency in adolescence / Valvuloplastia aórtica por catéter con balón en emergencia materno-fetal en la adolescencia

O aumento do débito cardíaco durante a gravidez é causa de insuficiência cardíaca em portadoras de estenose valvar aórtica grave. A valvoplastia aórtica percutânea tem sido associada a graves complicações e reestenose valvar em curto prazo. O presente caso mostrou que a valvoplastia aórtica percutânea permitiu o alcance do parto com sobrevida da mãe e do feto, e que a interrupção do tratamento no pós-parto resultou em morte materna no puerpério tardio.

The increase of cardiac output during pregnancy is the cause of heart failure in women with severe aortic valvular stenosis. Percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty has been associated with severe complications and short-term valvar restenosis. This case showed that percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty allowed both mother and fetus to survive after childbirth, and that postpartum treatment interruption resulted in maternal death in late postpartum care.

El aumento del gasto cardiaco durante el embarazo es la causa de insuficiencia cardiaca en portadoras de estenosis valvular aórtica severa. Se viene asociando la valvuloplastia aórtica percutánea a severas complicaciones y reestenosis valvular en corto plazo. El presente caso reveló que la valvuloplastia aórtica percutánea permitió el alcance del parto con sobrevida de la madre y del feto, y que la interrupción del tratamiento en el postparto resultó en muerte materna en el puerperio tardío.

Evolução e prognóstico materno-fetal da cirurgia cardíaca durante a gravidez / Evolución y pronóstico materno-fetal de la cirugía cardiaca durante el embarazo / Maternal-fetal outcome and prognosis of cardiac surgery during pregnancy

FUNDAMENTO: A cirurgia cardíaca favorece o prognóstico materno em casos refratários à terapêutica clínica, contudo associa-se a riscos ao concepto quando realizada durante a gravidez. OBJETIVO: Analisar a evolução e o prognóstico materno-fetal de gestantes submetidas à cirurgia cardíaca no ciclo gravídico-puerperal. MÉTODOS: Estudou-se a evolução de 41 gestações de mulheres que tiveram indicação de cirurgia cardíaca no ciclo gravídico puerperal. A cardiotocografia fetal foi mantida durante o procedimento nas pacientes com idade gestacional acima de 20 semanas. RESULTADOS: A média da idade materna foi de 27,8 ± 7,6 anos, houve predomínio da valvopatia reumática (87,8 por cento), e 15 dessas (41,6 por cento) foram submetidas à reoperação, devido à disfunção de prótese valvar. A média do tempo de circulação extracorpórea foi de 87,4 ± 43,6 min, e a hipotermia foi utilizada em 27 casos (67,5 por cento). Treze mães (31,7 por cento) não apresentaram intercorrências e tiveram seus recém-nascidos vivos e saudáveis. A evolução pós-operatória das demais 28 gestações (68,3 por cento) mostrou: 17 complicações maternas (41,5 por cento); três óbitos (7,3 por cento); 12 perdas fetais (29,2 por cento) e quatro casos de malformação neurológica (10 por cento), dois dos quais evoluíram para óbito tardio. Houve uma perda de seguimento após a cirurgia. Nove pacientes (21,9 por cento) foram operadas em caráter de emergência, situação que influenciou (p < 0.001) o prognóstico materno. CONCLUSÃO: A cirurgia cardíaca durante a gravidez permitiu sobrevida materna em 92,7 por cento e nascimento de crianças saudáveis em 56,0 por cento das pacientes que apresentaram complicações cardíacas refratárias à terapêutica clínica. O pior prognóstico materno teve correlação com a cirurgia em caráter de emergência.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery improves the maternal prognosis in cases refractory to medical therapy. However, it is associated with risks to the fetus when performed during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze maternal-fetal outcome and prognosis related to cardiac surgery performed during pregnancy and puerperium. METHODS: The outcome of 41 gestations of women undergoing cardiac surgery during pregnancy and puerperium was studied. Fetal cardiotocography was performed throughout the procedure in patients with gestational age above 20 weeks. RESULTS: Mean maternal age was 27.8 ± 7.6 years; there was a predominance of patients with rheumatic valve disease (87.8 percent), of whom 15 (41.6 percent) underwent reoperation due to prosthetic valve dysfunction. Mean extracorporeal circulation time was 87.4± 43.6min and hypothermia was used in 27 (67.5 percent) cases. Thirteen (31.7 percent) mothers experienced no events and gave birth to live healthy newborns. Postoperative outcome of the remaining 28 (68.3 percent) pregnancies showed: 17 (41.5 percent) maternal complications and three (7.3 percent) deaths; 12 (29.2 percent) fetal losses, and four (10 percent) cases of neurological malformation, two of which progressed to late death. One patient was lost to follow-up after surgery. Nine (21.9 percent) patients underwent emergency surgery, and this variable was correlated with maternal prognosis (p<0.001) CONCLUSION: Cardiac surgery during pregnancy allowed survival of 92.7 percent of the mothers, and 56.0 percent of the patients who presented cardiac complications refractory to medical therapy gave birth to healthy children. Worse maternal prognosis was correlated with emergency surgery.

FUNDAMENTO: La cirugía cardiaca favorece el pronóstico materno en casos refractarios a la terapéutica clínica, sin embargo está asociada a riesgos cuando realizada durante el embarazo. OBJETIVO: Analizar la evolución y el pronóstico materno-fetal de gestantes sometidas a la cirugía cardiaca en el ciclo grávido puerperal. MÉTODOS: Se estudió la evolución de 41 gestaciones de mujeres que tuvieron indicación de cirugía cardiaca en el ciclo grávido puerperal. La cardiotocografía fetal se mantuvo durante el procedimiento en las pacientes con edad gestacional superior a 20 semanas. RESULTADOS: El promedio de edad materna fue de 27,8 ± 7,6 años, con predominio de valvulopatía reumática (87,8 por ciento), y 15 de ellas (41,6 por ciento) se sometieron a reoperación, debido a disfunción de prótesis valvular. El promedio del tiempo de circulación extracorpórea fue de 87,4 ± 43,6 min, y se utilizó la hipotermia en 27 casos (67,5 por ciento). Trece madres (31,7 por ciento) no presentaron intercurrencias y tuvieron sus recién nacidos vivos y sanos. La evolución postoperatoria de las demás 28 gestaciones (68,3 por ciento) reveló: 17 complicaciones maternas (41,5 por ciento); tres óbitos (7,3 por ciento); 12 pérdidas fetales (29,2 por ciento) y 4 casos de malformación neurológica (10 por ciento), dos de los cuales evolucionaron para óbito tardío. Hubo una pérdida de seguimiento tras la cirugía. Se operaron a nueve pacientes (21,9 por ciento) en carácter de emergencia, situación que influenció (p < 0.001) el pronóstico materno. CONCLUSIÓN: LA CIrugía cardiaca durante el embarazo permitió sobrevida materna en un 92,7 por ciento y nacimiento de niños sanos en 56,0 por ciento de las pacientes que presentaron complicaciones cardíacas refractarias a la terapéutica clínica. El peor pronóstico materno tuvo correlación con la cirugía en carácter de emergencia.

Disección aórtica y síndrome de Marfán en el embarazo: A propósito de un caso clínico / Acute type A aortic dissection in pregnant patient with Marfan syndrome: Report of one case

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening disease that requires immediate surgical intervention. Marfan syndrome is a hereditary disease with an autosomaldominant transmission, which affects the connective tissue, with skeletal, cardiovascular and ocular involvement. It is one of the most prevalent connective tissue disorders, presenting a risk of aortic dissection of approximately 1% even without dilatation of the aorta. When dissectionoccurs during pregnancy and requires surgical intervention (type A dissection), maternal mortality is high (20%-30%). We report a 38 year-old woman with Marfan syndrome that hadan acute type A aortic dissection and severe aortic regurgitation at 37 weeks of gestation. The patient underwent a cesarean section and delivered a healthy baby. Afterwards, aortic valverepair and ascending aortic replacement was successfully performed under circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia. Additionally mitral valve repair for degenerative disease with posterior, autologous pericardium mitral valve ring was performed.

Cirurgia de troca valvar em gestante / Heart valve replacement during pregnancy

Trata-se de uma gestante de 20 semanas submetida à retroca de prótese de valva atrioventricular esquerda e troca da valva da aorta, ambas por prótese biológica, valvuloplastia de tricúspide e trombectomia de átrio esquerdo. O tempo de circulação extracorpórea foi de 105 minutos. A paciente recebeu alta do hospital em boas condições gerais e o recémnascido permanece estável em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Por ser um procedimento de considerável complexidade e de alta mortalidade materna e fetal, este caso é de importante relevância no tratamento das doenças valvares durante o período gestacional, bem como a condução nos períodos intra e pós-operatório.

We describe a woman with gestational age of 20 weeks, who was submitted to a complex procedure. She underwent replacement of the biological mitral and aortic valve, both by biological prosthesis, valvuloplasty of the tricuspid valve, as well as thrombectomy of the left atrium. Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) was used during 105 minutes. The patient was discharged from hospital in good health conditions and the newborn remained in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in a stable state. This is a complex procedure with a high maternal and fetal mortality. Therefore, this is an important case regarding valve abnormalities treatment during pregnancy.

Dissecção aguda da aorta durante a gravidez / Acute aortic dissection during pregnancy

A dissecção aguda da aorta representa uma das situações clínicas mais dramáticas na gravidez. As dificuldades do diagnóstico e a limitação da investigação invasiva elevam a taxa de mortalidade pela doença. A escassez de experiências relatadas na literatura não permite determinar uma conduta clínica e/ou cirúrgica frente à dissecção de aorta durante a gravidez. Apresentamos um caso de dissecção aguda da aorta em paciente cursando a 33ª semana de gestação e discutimos sobre a conduta diante das peculiaridades da manifestação da doença.

Acute aortic dissection is one of the most dreaded clinical conditions during pregnancy. Difficulties in establishing a diagnosis and limitations regarding invasive studies increase mortality rates associated with the disease. The limited experience reported in the literature does not allow the determination of guidelines for clinical and/or surgical management of aortic dissection in pregnancy. The authors present a case of acute aortic dissection in a woman in her 33rd week of gestation and discuss the diagnostic approach considering the peculiarities of the diseaseÆs manifestation.

Uso de dexmedetomidina em anestesia geral para tratamento cirúrgico de aneurisma cerebral, em paciente gestante, portadora de doença hipertensiva específica da gestação: relato de caso / Dexmedetomidine in general anesthesia for surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysm in pregnant patient with specific hypertensive disease of pregnancy: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A incidência de cirurgias não obstétricas em pacientes gestantes é de 0,36 por cento a 2 por cento. No entanto, cirurgias visando o tratamento cirúrgico de aneurisma cerebral em gestantes são extremamente raras. A doença hipertensiva específica da gestação, apresenta prevalência clínica de 10 por cento na população gestante. Trata-se de uma doença de elevada complexidade clínica, acometendo múltiplos órgãos e sistemas. A dexmedetomidina, fármaco agonista alfa2, apresenta importante seletividade para estes receptores, quando utilizada em doses clínicas terapêuticas e promove adequada estabilidade hemodinâmica, se empregada no período peri-operatório. O objetivo deste relato foi apresentar uma técnica com a qual fosse possível a manutenção da homeostase materna, preservando ao máximo o fluxo sangüíneo útero-placentário e a vitalidade fetal, sem deixar de lado aspectos fundamentais relativos à otimização da relação oferta/demanda de oxigênio cerebral e adequação das condições do tecido cerebral propícias ao manuseio cirúrgico. RELATO DO CASO: Gestante com 19 anos encaminhada para tratamento cirúrgico de aneurisma cerebral, estando na vigésima sétima semana de gestação. No pré-operatório, apresentava-se consciente, orientada, com presença de déficit à esquerda e quadro clínico compatível com toxemia gravídica. Foi administrada dexmedetomidina (1 æg.kg-1) em 20 minutos, seguida de indução anestésica com propofol (2,5 mg.kg-1), fentanil (7,5 æg.kg-1), lidocaína (1 mg.kg-1) e rocurônio (2 mg.kg-1) em seqüência rápida. A manutenção da anestesia foi obtida com propofol (50 æg.kg-1.min-1), alfentanil (1 æg.kg-1.min-1) e dexmedetomidina (0,7 æg.kg-1.min-1). A cirurgia foi realizada sem qualquer intercorrência, não havendo seqüela neurológica subjacente. CONCLUSÕES: Neste caso o uso da dexmedetomidina tornou possível um adequado manuseio hemodinâmico, mantendo otimizado o fluxo sangüíneo útero-placentário e a vitalidade fetal. Ressaltam-se, ainda, as condições adequadas de manuseio cirúrgico do tecido cerebral, assim como a ausência de influência na morbidade após o procedimento anestésico-cirúrgico.

Anesthesia and intracranial arteriovenous malformation.

Anesthetic management of intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) poses multiple challenges to the anesthesiologist in view of its complex and poorly understood pathophysiology and multiple modalities for its treatment involving different sub-specialties. The diagnosis of AVM is based on clinical presentation as well as radiological investigation. Pregnant patients with intracranial AVM and neonates with vein of Galen malformation may also pose a special challenge and require close attention. Despite technological advancement, reported morbidity or mortality after AVM treatment remains high and largely depends on age of the patient, recruitment of perforating vessels, its size, location in the brain, history of previous bleed and post-treatment hyperemic complication. Anesthetic management includes a thorough preoperative visit with meticulous planning based on different modalities of treatment including anesthesia for radiological investigation. Proper attention should be directed while transporting the patient for the procedure. Protection of the airway, adequate monitoring, and maintaining neurological and cardiovascular stability, and the patient's immobility during the radiological procedures, appreciation and management of various complications that can occur during and after the procedure and meticulous ICU management is essential.

Empaquetamiento hepático permanente con malla de poliglactina en estallido hepático secundario a síndrome de Hellp / Permanent hepatic packing with polyglactin mesh in secondary ruptured liver to Hellp syndrome

El estallido hepático constituye una de las más graves complicaciones del síndrome de Hellp y es una de sus principales causas de muerte. Dada la presencia de falla hepática y trombocitopenia que constituyen la esencia del síndrome de Hellp, la hemostasia quirúrgica del hígado estallado es extremadamente difícil. Presentamos nuestra experiencia con dos casos de embarazos con síndrome de Hellp y complicados con estallido hepático, que debieron ser operados en nuestro servicio y que pudieron ser controlados mediante el empleo de un empaquetamiento hepático con malla de poliglactina. Los objetivos son discutir las alternativas técnicas para la resolución quirúrgica de esta grave complicación y mostrar los detalles de esta forma de empaquetamiento hepático permanente por nosotros empleado.

Perioperative management of pregnant patients with heart disease for caesarian section under anaesthesia.

One hundred pregnant patients, of age group 22 to 35 years, with different types of cardiac ailments (mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse, aortic regurgitation, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, coarctation of the aorta, Eisenmenger syndrome, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and operated tetralogy of fallot), put up for elective caesarian section underanaesthesia, were managed in the department of anaesthesiology at IPGME&R/SSKM Hospital, Kolkata from January 1996 to December 2002. The aim of the study was to observe the maternal and foetal outcome in different heart diseases. Death occurred in 2 patients (67%) with Eisenmenger syndrome, in one patient (20%) with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and in one patient (5%) with critical mitral stenosis (mitral orifice area = 0.6 cm2) with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Neonatal mortality was observed in 4 patients [Eisenmenger syndrome--3 (100%); coarctation of the aorta--1 (33%)]. Another 8 patients developed severe heart failure (HF) [severe mitral stenosis (mitral orifice area = 1-1.2 cm2)--2 (10%); hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy--4 (80%); coarctation of the aorta--2 (66%)]. Foetal dysmaturity was observed in 20 neonates (54%) belonging to mothers of New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes III and IV. Congenital heart disease (ventricular septal defect) was detected in 3 offsprings (20%) of mothers with ventricular septal defect. The study concludes that most pregnant cardiac patients can have a satisfactory outcome with careful perioperative management.