Experience of managing pregnant women with Eisenmenger's syndrome: Maternal and fetal outcome in 13 cases

Abstract

To determine maternal and fetal outcomes in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome (ES) with the therapeutic strategy. The case histories and therapeutic procedures of 13 pregnant women with ES had been reviewed. One case spontaneously aborted before 28 weeks due to intrauterine death, four were taken to cesarean section before 28 weeks and eight (61.5%) survived beyond 28 weeks' gestation before cesarean section. One mother died (92.3% survival), while infant loss was 38.5%. No pregnancy continued to term but eight babies delivered after 28 weeks were born alive, six of the children have normal physical and mental development. In pregnant women with ES who wish to continue pregnancy, treatment should include: prolonged bedrest, continuous oxygen inhalation, diuretic administration with close hemodynamic monitoring, anticoagulants should be avoided and exact time point selection of cesarean section.