A Review of the Management of Pregnancy After Cardiac Transplantation.

Abstract

Success and advances in the management of all aspects of heart disease and heart transplantation have allowed for normalcy in life, including the question as to the possibility of pregnancy in transplantation. With the growing young adult population undergoing heart transplant, pregnancy and transplantation have become an issue of importance. Despite the fact that nearly 50 years have passed since the first heart transplant, there remains to be little evidence in regard to management of pregnant heart transplant recipients. Thus, this review will address issues related to pregnancy in this patient population, such as preconception counseling, timing and optimization for pregnancy post transplant, immunosuppression, cardiac assessment, and management of pregnant heart transplant recipients, as well as hemodynamic effects of pregnancy on the transplanted heart. Based on the available literature from registrar data, case reports and series, with careful planning, monitoring, and appropriate therapies, pregnancy in heart transplantation is a viable option in select patients. To optimize maternal and fetal outcomes, recommendations are included in this review to minimize complications including rejection, graft dysfunction, maternal diabetes and hypertension, as well as appropriate changes in immunosuppression.