By Louise-Anne Geddes, Mindful Mum, 31st August 2011

Data from over 1,300 women from 28 countries and 60 centres has been collected by the researchers. They consist of 869 women with congenital heart disease, 333 with valvular heart disease patients, 79 with cardiomyopathy and 24 with ischaemic heart disease.

Levels are significantly higher

Results so far reflect a very high hospitalisation rate during pregnancy: 338 patients (representing 26% of all pregnancies) were hospitalized, 203 in relation to cardiac problems. Maternal death occurred in 13 patients (1%) and fetal death in 59 cases (4.5%). These death rates are significantly higher than normal according to said Professor Roos-Hesselink. Maternal mortality is in the order of 100 times higher and fetal mortality 10 times higher.

More data required

Professor Roos-Hesselink said the figures were an interim analysis, and that more data was needed for a better understanding of which types of heart disease pose the highest risk and what treatment may be most effective.

Source:

Further Information: Heart disease boosts maternal death 100-fold: study 31 Aug 2011

European Society of Cardiology

Photograph:
Krzyboy20 @ Flickr