Pregnancy risks in women with pre-existing coronary artery disease, or following acute coronary syndrome

Luke J. Burchill, Heleen Lameijer, Jolien W. Roos-Hesselink, Jasmine Grewal, Titia P.E. Ruys, Julia D. Kulikowski, Laura A. Burchill, M. A. Oudijk, Rachel M. Wald, Jack M. Colman, Samuel C. Siu, Petronella G. Pieper, Candice K. Silversides

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to determine outcomes in pregnant women with pre-existing coronary artery disease (CAD) or following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including myocardial infarction (MI). Background The physiological changes of pregnancy can contribute to myocardial ischaemia. The pregnancy risk for women with pre-established CAD or a history of ACS/MI is not well studied. Methods This was a retrospective multicentre study. Adverse maternal cardiac, obstetric and fetal/neonatal events were examined. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of cardiac arrest, ACS/MI, ventricular arrhythmia or congestive heart failure. The prevalence of new or progressive angina during pregnancy was also examined. Results Fifty pregnancies in 43 women (mean age 35 ±5 years) were included. Coronary atherosclerosis (40%) and coronary thrombus (36%) were the most common underlying diagnoses. The primary outcome occurred in 10% (5/50) of pregnancies and included one maternal death secondary to cardiac arrest. Other events included ACS/MI (3/50) and heart failure (1/50). New or progressive angina occurred in 18% of pregnancies. Ischaemic complications of any type (new or progressive angina, ACS/MI, ventricular arrhythmia, cardiac arrest) occurred more commonly in women with coronary atherosclerosis compared with those without (50% vs 10%, p=0.003). A high rate of adverse obstetric (16%) and fetal/neonatal (30%) events was observed. Conclusions Pregnant women with pre-existing CAD or ACS/MI before pregnancy are at increased risk of adverse events during pregnancy. Those with coronary atherosclerosis are at highest risk of adverse maternal cardiac events due to myocardial ischaemia during pregnancy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)525-529
Number of pages5
JournalHeart
Volume101
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pregnancy risks in women with pre-existing coronary artery disease, or following acute coronary syndrome'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this