Pregnancy and pulmonary artery hypertension: management challenges
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a term used to describe a complex heterogenous group of conditions defined by a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of more than 20 mmHg at rest on right-heart catheterization. PH in pregnancy is associated with high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality and poor fetal outcomes. Currently, pregnancy in these women is classified as modified WHO class IV (pregnancy contraindicated). More recent data suggest that the prognosis varies with the underlying aetiology as well as with PH severity. Consequently, management during pregnancy must be individualised, with patients cared for in a tertiary unit as part of an experienced multidisciplinary team. In this article, we will discuss the importance of preconception counselling, the impact of the haemodynamic changes induced by pregnancy, the maternal and fetal risks of pregnancy in women with PH, and how these can be minimised by close antenatal, intrapartum and post-partum care and the development of individualised pregnancy plans.
Date Issued
2025-03-01
Date Acceptance
2025-01-07
Citation
International Journal of Cardiology Congenital Heart Disease, 2025, 19
ISSN
2666-6685
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Cardiology Congenital Heart Disease
Volume
19
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40066345
PII: S2666-6685(25)00002-3
Subjects
Contraception
Heart failure
Management
Preconception counselling
Pregnancy
Pulmonary artery hypertension
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Netherlands
Article Number
100566
Date Publish Online
2025-01-07