Pregnancy in complex CHD: focus on patients with Fontan circulation and patients with a systemic right ventricle

Abstract

AbstractThe majority of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) now survive into adulthood, and many women with CHD want to pursue pregnancy. Pregnancy represents a complex issue for the CHD care provider. It requires balancing the interests of the woman against the risk to her health during pregnancy, while also factoring in the long-term risks to her health and the risk to her fetus. Our knowledge about this subject has been historically limited by lack of data regarding the outcome of pregnancy in CHD; however, in recent years, more data have begun to emerge. In this review, we will summarise what is known about risk assessment in pregnant CHD patients. We provide a framework for healthcare providers managing pregnancy in this population, with focus on the systemic right ventricle and the Fontan operation.