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Aims In women with congenital heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular complications during pregnancy are common, but the risk assessment of these patients remains difficult. This study sought to determine the independent role of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in addition to other parameters in predicting adverse cardiovascular events during pregnancy in women with CHD. Methods and results We conducted a national, prospective multicentre cohort study. Follow-up with clinical evaluation and echocardiography and NT-proBNP measurement was performed at 20-week gestation. Adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 10.3% of 213 pregnancies. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels >128 pg/mL at 20-week gestation, the presence of a mechanical valve, and subpulmonary ventricular dysfunction before conception were independently associated with events [odds ratio (OR) 10.6 (P = 0.039), OR 12.0 (P = 0.016), and OR 4.2 (P = 0.041), respectively]. The negative predictive value of NT-proBNP levels <128 pg/mL was 96.9%. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels >128 pg/mL at 20 weeks of gestation had an additional value in predicting the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events on the top of the other identified predictors (area under the curve 0.90 vs. 0.78, P = 0.035). Conclusion Increased NT-proBNP levels at 20 weeks of gestation are an independent risk predictor of cardiovascular events during pregnancy in women with CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Little is known about the course of echocardiographic parameters used for the evaluation of valvular heart disease (VHD) during pregnancy, hampering interpretation of possible changes (physiological vs. pathophysiological). Therefore we studied the course of these parameters and ventricular function in pregnant women with aortic and pulmonary VHD. The cohort comprised 66 pregnant women enrolled in the prospective ZAHARA studies or evaluated by an identical protocol who had pulmonary VHD or aortic VHD (stenosis/prosthetic valve). The control group comprised 46 healthy pregnant women. Echocardiography was performed preconception, during pregnancy and 1 year postpartum. Peak gradient, mean gradient, aortic valve area (AVA)/effective orifice area (EOA), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and right ventricular function (RVF; TAPSE) were assessed. Peak and mean gradients increased during pregnancy compared to preconception in women with aortic VHD and controls (p < 0.0125), but not in women with pulmonary VHD. AVA/EOA remained unchanged. Preconception and postpartum gradients were comparable in all groups. Mean LVEF was normal in pregnant women with VHD and controls. Mean TAPSE was lower (p < 0.001) in women with pulmonary VHD compared to women with aortic VHD and controls (<20 mm vs. ≥23 mm; p < 0.001). In women with pulmonary VHD a decrease of TAPSE was observed during pregnancy (p = 0.005). Physiological changes during pregnancy lead to increased Doppler gradients in women with aortic VHD. This increase was not found in women with pulmonary VHD, probably caused by impaired RVF. Therefore, evaluation of RVF during pregnancy might be important to prevent underestimation of the degree of stenosis. • Serial changes in Doppler gradients and valve area in aortic and pulmonary valve disease were reported throughout pregnancy • Aortic valve gradients increased during pregnancy and returned to baseline postpartum, valve area remained unchanged • Valve gradients did not change in pregnant women with pulmonary valve disease, likely due to worse right ventricular function • Evaluation of the right ventricle might be important to prevent possible underestimation of the degree of pulmonary stenosis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Women with repaired coarctation of the aorta (rCoA) are at risk of hypertensive disorders and other complications during pregnancy. Hypertensive disorders in pregnant women are associated with inadequate uteroplacental flow, which is related to adverse offspring outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of maternal cardiac function, placental function and pregnancy complications in women with rCoA. Methods We included 49 pregnant women with rCoA and 69 controls from the prospective ZAHARA-studies (Zwangerschap bij Aangeboren HARtAfwijkingen, pregnancy in congenital heart disease). Clinical evaluation, echocardiography and uteroplacental Doppler flow (UDF) measurements were performed at 20 and 32 weeks gestation. Univariable regression analysis was performed. Results Comparison of rCoA and healthy women. In women with rCoA, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) decreased during pregnancy (25.7 mm to 22.8 mm, P = 0.006). UDF indices and pregnancy complication rates were similar in both groups. Offspring of rCoA women had lower birth weight (3233 g versus 3578 g, P = 0.001), which was associated with β-blocker use during pregnancy (β = − 418.0, P = 0.01). Association of cardiac function and UDF. Right ventricular (RV) function before pregnancy (TAPSE) and at 20 weeks gestation (TAPSE and RV fractional area change) were associated with impaired UDF indices (umbilical artery pulsatility index at 20 weeks β = − 0.02, P = 0.01, resistance index at 20 and 32 weeks β = − 0.01, P = 0.02 and β = − 0.02, P = 0.01 and uterine artery pulsatility and resistance index at 20 weeks gestation β = − 0.02, P = 0.05 and β = − 0.01, P = 0.02). Conclusions Women with rCoA tolerate pregnancy well. However, RV function is altered and is associated with impaired placentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]