Hello Director! I'm here to bring you some candy! Oh, I'm a family member of Xiaolu, the pregnant woman with ventricular septal defect. It was you who saved our baby and encouraged her to wait until full term with peace of mind. Now the baby has been safely delivered at full term, and our whole family is very happy. Thank you so much！

Pregnant mother Xiaolu, 36 years old, underwent prenatal examination at an external hospital at 31 weeks of pregnancy. The cardiac ultrasound showed congenital heart disease, ventricular septal defect, and severe pulmonary hypertension. Induced abortion is recommended.

She has always been in good health. It was the first time she found out that she had congenital heart disease and had to terminate her pregnancy because of it. This news is like a bolt from the blue for Xiaolu, who is already an elderly mother and has finally become pregnant with this baby!

At 36 weeks of pregnancy, Xiaolu came to the cardiac ultrasound room again. After a detailed examination, the doctor told her again that her pulmonary artery pressure and heart function were still normal, and she could continue to observe until full-term without any problems. If the obstetric situation allowed, she could even try vaginal delivery.

So, a few months ago, a joyful scene occurred in the cardiology department of Renji Hospital's cardiac ultrasound room.

Understand pregnancy complicated with heart disease

The incidence rate of pregnancy with heart disease is 0.5%~3.0%, which is one of the top three causes of maternal death. Among pregnant women with concomitant heart disease, the proportion of congenital heart disease is the highest, accounting for about 1/3-1/2. The rest include rheumatic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, gestational hypertension heart disease, perinatal cardiomyopathy, anemic heart disease, and myocarditis. The incidence rate and severity of pregnancy complicated with heart disease are affected by many factors, including the age of the pregnant woman, the type of heart disease, the state of heart function, and whether she has received timely and effective treatment. Pregnant women over 35 years old with concomitant heart disease have a correspondingly increased risk, therefore they need to be taken seriously. The clinical manifestations of pregnancy with heart disease mainly include palpitation, chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough, hemoptysis and pink foam sputum.

Inspection methods

In the diagnosis and monitoring of pregnancy complicated with heart disease, cardiac ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool because it can intuitively display the structural and functional changes of the heart, providing important basis for diagnosis and treatment. And it is non-invasive and radiation free for both the pregnant mother and the fetus, and the price is relatively cheap. Whether before or after childbirth, cardiac ultrasound examination can provide accurate assessment and strong support for pregnant women with concomitant heart disease.

The prognosis of pregnancy complicated with heart disease

The prognosis of pregnancy complicated with heart disease depends on various factors, but overall, strengthening monitoring and management during pregnancy, as well as timely and effective treatment, can maximize the safety of both mother and baby. For pregnant women with heart disease, regular check ups, following medical advice, and receiving necessary treatment are crucial!

Appointment Information：

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This story highlights the life-saving impact of cardiac ultrasound and multidisciplinary care in maternal-fetal medicine. For more updates, follow Renji Hospital’s official channels.