Pregnancy Outcomes Following Cardiac Transplantation

Maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women undergoing cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac diseases that require surgical intervention present a unique challenge during pregnancy and may affect both maternal and neonatal outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant females undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A comprehensive manual and electronic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Sciences databases for studies published up to 31st May 2024. Eligible studies were required to report maternal and neonatal outcomes of women who underwent cardiac surgery during pregnancy. Random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled maternal and neonatal mortality proportions, and the results were presented as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total sample size of 196 pregnant women who underwent cardiac surgery. Cardiac surgery during pregnancy was significantly (p < 0.001) linked to increased maternal and neonatal mortality, with pooled RR of 4.9% (CI: 2.1%-7.6%) and 26.5% (CI: 19.7%-33.4%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the significant risks associated with cardiac surgery during pregnancy, such as increased risk of maternal and neonatal mortality and higher incidence of preterm labor. Our findings underscore the importance of specialized care and multidisciplinary management for pregnant women with cardiac conditions. Further research is warranted to identify strategies for risk mitigation and improved outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Preparing the Heart for a New Baby: Management of Pregnancy in Heart Transplant Recipients

Heart transplant (HT) recipients are more frequently reaching childbearing age given improvement in median survival and outcomes after HT. Although most pregnancies in HT recipients have favorable outcomes, poor fetal outcomes and maternal complications such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are more common in HT recipients than in the general population. In this review, we summarize the current evidence to guide the management of pregnancy in HT recipients. Preconception counseling, focused on risk stratification and optimal timing of conception, is the first important step to optimize pregnancy outcomes. During pregnancy and in the postpartum period, frequent monitoring of graft function and immunosuppressive levels is recommended. Calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids should be the mainstay of treatment for both prevention and treatment of graft rejection. Delivery planning should follow usual obstetric indications, preferably with vaginal delivery at term using regional anesthesia. A multidisciplinary care team should be involved in management through all stages of pregnancy to ensure success.

Informing preconception counseling: Outcomes among female heart transplant recipients in the ISHLT registry

BACKGROUND

The numbers of women of child-bearing age undergoing heart transplantation (HT) and female pediatric HT recipients surviving to child-bearing age have increased, along with improvements in post-transplant survival. Data regarding life expectancy and comorbidities in reproductive-aged female HT recipients are needed to inform shared decision-making at the time of preconception counseling.

METHODS

The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Thoracic Organ Transplant Registry was investigated for HT recipients between January 1, 2000 and June 30, 2017. Women of childbearing age were defined as those aged 15-45 years, either at transplant, or at the respective post-transplant follow-up. Characteristics and outcomes of female recipients of childbearing age at transplant, 5-, 10-, and 15-year follow-up were compared to females > 45 years of age, males 15-45 years and males > 45 years of age at the corresponding time intervals. Outcomes included survival, development of diabetes (DM), severe renal dysfunction (CKD), and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV).

RESULTS

During the study period, 71,585 HT recipients were included: 24% (n = 17,194) were female and 9.2% (n = 6602) were of childbearing age at HT. A pre-transplant diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy was associated with significantly worse post-transplant survival, a finding that remained independent of panel reactive antibody levels. The presence of pre-transplant DM and/or severe CKD was significantly associated with lower survival as were the presence of CAV, DM, and CKD post-HT.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of the impact of pre-existing comorbidities and complications post-HT on survival are important for risk stratification for preconception counseling post-HT.

Thoracic organ transplantation and pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Pre-conceptual comorbidities, an inherent risk of graft loss, rejection during pregnancy, and the postpartum period in women with thoracic lung transplant may predispose them to increased risk of adverse feto-maternal outcomes. The study aimed to systematically analyze and assess the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with thoracic organ transplant.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were searched for publication between January 1990 and June 2020. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs critical appraisal tool for case series. The primary outcomes included maternal mortality and pregnancy loss. The secondary outcomes were maternal complications, neonatal complications, and adverse birth outcomes. The analysis was performed using the DerSimonian-Laird random effects model.

RESULTS

Eleven studies captured data from 275 parturient with thoracic organ transplant describing 400 pregnancies. The primary outcomes included maternal mortality {pooled incidence (95% confidence interval) 4.2 (2.5-7.1) at 1 year and 19.5 (15.3-24.5) during follow-up}. Pooled estimates yielded 10.1% (5.6-17.5) and 21.8% (10.9-38.8) risk of rejection and graft dysfunction during and after pregnancy, respectively. Although 67% (60.2-73.2) of pregnancies resulted in live birth, total pregnancy loss and neonatal death occurred in 33.5% (26.7-40.9) and 2.8% (1.4-5.6), respectively. Prematurity and low birth weight were reported in 45.1% (38.5-51.9) and 42.7% (32.8-53.2), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite pregnancies resulting in nearly 2/3rd of live births, high incidence of pregnancy loss, prematurity and low birth weight remain a cause of concern. Focused pre-conceptual counseling to avoid unplanned pregnancy, especially in women with transplant-related organ dysfunctions and complications, is vital to improve pregnancy outcomes.

PROSPERO NUMBER

CRD42020164020.

Reproductive health after thoracic transplantation: An ISHLT expert consensus statement

Pregnancy after thoracic organ transplantation is feasible for select individuals but requires multidisciplinary subspecialty care. Key components for a successful pregnancy after lung or heart transplantation include preconception and contraceptive planning, thorough risk stratification, optimization of maternal comorbidities and fetal health through careful monitoring, and open communication with shared decision-making. The goal of this consensus statement is to summarize the current evidence and provide guidance surrounding preconception counseling, patient risk assessment, medical management, maternal and fetal outcomes, obstetric management, and pharmacologic considerations.

A survey of solid organ transplant recipient attitudes and concerns regarding contraception and pregnancy

INTRODUCTION

Many women who are solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients wish to have children after transplantation. Contraception is an important component of post-transplant planning and care, given the increased risk associated with post-transplant pregnancies. We sought to understand patient attitudes and concerns about post-transplant contraception and pregnancy.

METHODS

Following a comprehensive literature review, our team developed a survey that was administered to female SOT recipients of childbearing age. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to characterize participant views RESULTS: A total of 243 transplant recipients completed the survey (80.7% response rate). The mean age of respondents was 37.5 years (±8.1 years), 66.7% were kidney recipients, and 40.7% were within the first year after transplant. The most common concerns among respondents included fetal and maternal health complications. Participants generally did not agree that transplant recipients should be advised to avoid pregnancy. There was strong support for shared decision-making about pregnancy after transplantation CONCLUSION: Understanding patient perspectives can help transplant providers make better care recommendations and support patient autonomy in reproductive decisions post-transplant. Given that there are some differences in views by transplant type, individualized conversations between patients and providers are needed.

In-Hospital Outcomes in Pregnancy After Heart Transplantation

Although the number of successful pregnancies in heart transplantation (HT) recipients is increasing, data regarding outcomes after delivery are limited. The 2010 to 2015 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried to identify index hospitalizations for delivery in HT recipients. Adverse delivery events of HT patients were compared with those of women without history of HT or systolic heart failure (HF) undergoing delivery. Of 21,922,631 delivery hospitalizations, 94 hospitalizations were of HT recipients. Compared with women without a history of HF or HT, post-HT women had greater comorbidity burden, as evidenced by the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (1.16 vs 0.24, p <0.001), lower household incomes (p = 0.03), and were more likely to deliver at large hospitals (90% vs 58%, p = 0.02) and hospitals categorized as teaching institutions (100% vs 59%, p <0.001). After adjustment for clinical variables, history of HT was significantly associated with increased incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (odds ratio 6.97, p = 0.001) primarily driven by increased rates of preeclampsia, and induction of labor (odds ratio 3.18, p = 0.01). There were no differences in gestational diabetes, cesarean section, fetal growth restriction, fetal malformations, or preterm delivery (all p >0.3). In conclusion, post-HT women have greater comorbidity burden and experience increased maternal risks compared with women without history of HT or systolic HF, including increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and need for induction. More studies are needed to improve obstetric care and maternal-fetal outcomes for the HT population.

Successful pregnancy outcome in patient with cardiac transplantation

Objectives

The population of female heart transplant recipients of reproductive age is increasing and pregnancy follow-up of these patients is important.

Case presentation

A 30-year-old patient who had a heart transplant due to viral myocarditis became pregnant spontaneously. A close follow-up by a multidisciplinary team allowed a normal pregnancy without maternal or fetal complications and the delivery of a healthy infant.

Conclusions

Successful pregnancy outcomes are possible in women who had a heart transplant. Careful and close surveillance by a multidisciplinary team is mandatory.

Usage of Tacrolimus and Mycophenolic Acid During Conception, Pregnancy, and Lactation, and Its Implications for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: A Systematic Critical Review

BACKGROUND

Conception, pregnancy, and lactation following solid organ transplantation require appropriate management. The most frequently used immunosuppressive drug combination after solid organ transplantation consists of tacrolimus (Tac) plus mycophenolic acid (MPA). Here, the effects of Tac and MPA on fertility, pregnancy, and lactation are systematically reviewed, and their implications for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) are discussed.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed (August 19, 2019) using Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, and 102 studies were included. Another 60 were included from the reference list of the published articles.

RESULTS

As MPA is teratogenic, women who are trying to conceive are strongly recommended to switch from MPA to azathioprine. MPA treatment in men during conception seems to have no adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes. Nevertheless, in 2015, the drug label was updated with additional risk minimization measures in a pregnancy prevention program. Data on MPA pharmacokinetics during pregnancy and lactation are limited. Tac treatment during conception, pregnancy, and lactation seems to be safe in terms of the health of the mother, (unborn) child, and allograft. However, Tac may increase the risk of hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Infants will ingest very small amounts of Tac via breast milk from mothers treated with Tac. However, no adverse outcomes have been reported in children exposed to Tac during lactation. During pregnancy, changes in Tac pharmacokinetics result in increased unbound to whole-blood Tac concentration ratio. To maintain Tac concentrations within the target range, increased Tac dose and intensified TDM may be required. However, it is unclear if dose adjustments during pregnancy are necessary, considering the higher concentration of (active) unbound Tac.

CONCLUSIONS

Tac treatment during conception, pregnancy and lactation seems to be relatively safe. Due to pharmacokinetic changes during pregnancy, a higher Tac dose might be indicated to maintain target concentrations. However, more evidence is needed to make recommendations on both Tac dose adjustments and alternative matrices than whole-blood for TDM of Tac during pregnancy. MPA treatment in men during conception seems to have no adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes, whereas MPA use in women during conception and pregnancy is strongly discouraged.

Pregnancy Following Heart Transplantation: A Single Centre Case Series and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy amongst cardiac transplant recipients are limited in the current literature.

METHODS

We describe five pregnancies in three cardiac transplant recipients managed between a tertiary centre for obstetric medicine and an associated state-wide transplant centre between 2014-2018, and provide a narrative review of the literature.

RESULTS

Pre-conception counselling was undertaken. There were no recent rejection episodes and all women demonstrated good baseline cardiac function. Median maternal age was 27 years (range 23-38 yrs.). Median time from transplantation to pregnancy was 5 years (range 2-14 yrs.). All women were managed with modified immunosuppressant regimens and multidisciplinary care. Cardiac function, tacrolimus levels and renal function were closely monitored with frequent monitoring for common complications of pregnancy. There were no maternal or fetal deaths. There was no evidence of graft rejection and no deterioration in cardiac function. Tacrolimus doses were increased to maintain therapeutic targets. Gestational diabetes occurred in three women and cholestasis of pregnancy occurred in one. Each infant was delivered by vaginal delivery. One mother had postpartum haemorrhage in both pregnancies. Pre-eclampsia did not occur. Median gestation at delivery was 37 weeks (range 35⁺⁴-40⁺⁵ days) with two preterm deliveries. One (1) infant was born with low birth weight. One (1) infant had jaundice requiring phototherapy. All infants were breastfed.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy in transplant recipients confers risk to the mother and fetus. Pre-conception counselling, immunosuppressant tailoring and regular monitoring are paramount to avoid rejection and possible teratogenic complications. Favourable pregnancy outcomes are achievable with specialist multidisciplinary care.

Pregnancy after Heart Transplantation

As post-transplant survival improves, many heart transplant (HT) recipients are of, or are surviving to, childbearing age. Solid-organ transplant recipients who become pregnant should be managed by a multidisciplinary cardio-obstetrics team, including specialists in maternal and fetal medicine, cardiology and transplant medicine, as well as anesthesia, neonatology, psychology, genetics, and social services. With careful patient selection, pregnancy after HT can been managed safely. The purpose of this comprehensive review was to summarize the current evidence and recommendations surrounding preconception counseling, medical management and surveillance, maternal outcomes, breastfeeding, and remaining gaps in knowledge.

Development of a Core Outcome Set for Studies on Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy (COSCarP): a study protocol

BACKGROUND

Clinical studies looking at interventions to optimize pregnancy and long-term outcomes for women with cardiac disease and their babies are inconsistent in their reporting of clinical outcomes, making it difficult to compare results across studies and draw meaningful conclusions. The development of a core outcome set (COS)-a standardized, minimum set of outcomes that must be collected and reported in all studies-is a practical solution to this problem.

METHODS/DESIGN

We will follow a five-step process in developing a COS for studies on pregnant women with cardiac disease. First, a systematic literature review will identify all reported outcomes (including patient-reported outcomes) and definitions. Second, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders involved in the care of pregnant women with cardiac disease will determine their perspective and add new outcomes that they consider important. Third, an international electronic Delphi survey will narrow outcomes obtained through the first two steps, in an attempt to arrive at a consensus. Fourth, a face-to-face consensus meeting will deliberate to finalize the COS. Finally, measurement tools and definitions for included outcomes will be determined through a series of literature reviews and Delphi surveys.

DISCUSSION

This protocol provides an overview of the steps involved in the development of a COS that must be reported in studies involving pregnant women with cardiac disease, in an attempt to harmonize outcome reporting and ensure the validity of study results that will not only inform clinical practice and future research but also encourage the development of COS in other areas of medicine. COMET CORE OUTCOME SET REGISTRATION: http://www.comet initiative.org/studies/details/834.

Assessing Cardiac Risk in Pregnant Women With Heart Disease: How Risk Scores Are Created and Their Role in Clinical Practice

Pregnancy, which is associated with profound cardiovascular changes and higher risk of thrombosis, increases the risk of cardiovascular complications in women with pre-existing heart disease. A comprehensive history and physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and transthoracic echocardiogram remain the foundation of assessing cardiac risk during pregnancy in women with heart disease. These are often combined to generate risk scores, which are statistically derived. Several statistically derived risk and 1 lesion-specific classification system are currently available. A suggested clinical approach to risk stratification is first to identify pregnancies in women with cardiac lesions at risk for serious or life-threatening maternal cardiac complications and for the remainder to use the Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy II (CARPREG II) risk score, integrating additional lesion-specific and patient-specific information. Conversely, clinicians can use the modified World Health Organization (mWHO) risk classification system and integrate general risk predictors and patient-specific information. Importantly, cardiac-risk assessment should always incorporate clinical judgement in addition to the use of risk scores or risk-classification systems. As pregnant women with heart disease are also at risk for obstetric and fetoneonatal complications, risk assessment should be performed by a multidisciplinary team, preferably before conception, or as soon as conception is confirmed, and repeated at regular intervals during the course of pregnancy.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with cardiothoracic transplants: A Systematic review and meta-analysis

Increasing numbers of women with thoracic transplants are planning and continuing pregnancies. However, pregnancy outcomes and risks to the mother and baby have not been systematically assessed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central were searched from their inception to January 2018, to identify studies reporting outcomes on 3 or more pregnancies following thoracic transplants. Pooled incidences were calculated using a random-effect meta-analysis. Risk-of-bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Checklist for case series. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on the organ transplanted. Of the 3,658 records identified, 12 studies were included that reported on 385 pregnancies in 272 thoracic transplant recipients. Maternal complications included mortality (pooled incidence 0.5% [95% confidence intervals 0, 1.1%] during pregnancy and 15.4% [10.4, 20.3%] during follow-up, which ranged between 3 and 7 years), graft rejection (7.4% [4.2, 10.5%]), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy [26.6% [13.7, 39.6%]), and cesarean deliveries (41.4% [33.4, 48.7%]). Maternal mortality was more common in recipients of lung vs heart transplants (41.4% [23.4, 59.3] vs 10.8% [5.9, 15.8]), respectively. Although 78.4% (69.8, 86.9%) of the pregnancies resulted in live births, 51.2% (31, 71.3%) were born preterm and neonatal deaths occurred in 3.4% (1.3, 5.6%). Congenital anomalies affected 4.3% (1.8, 6.8%) of the newborns. Although few maternal deaths occurred during pregnancy, in keeping with median survival data, delayed mortality for thoracic transplant recipients remains high. Despite the high numbers of live births, these pregnancies continue to be at risk for hypertensive disorders, graft rejection, preterm birth, and neonatal mortality. Prospectively gathered data from international registries should supplement these findings to better inform clinical counseling and practice.

Management of reproductive health after cardiac transplantation

Pregnancy after cardiac transplantation poses immense challenges. Maternal risks include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, rejection, and failure of the cardiac allograft that may lead to death. Fetal risks include potential teratogenic effects of immunosuppression and prematurity. Because of the high-risk nature of pregnancy in a heart transplant patient, management of reproductive health after cardiac transplantation should include preconception counseling to all women in the reproductive age group before and after cardiac transplantation. Reliable contraception is vital as nearly half of the pregnancies in this population are unintended. Despite the associated risks, successful pregnancies after cardiac transplantation have been reported. A multidisciplinary approach proposed in this review is essential for successful outcomes. A checklist for providers to guide management is provided.

Pregnancy after heterotopic heart transplant removal

Heterotopic heart transplants were introduced in 1974. The technique allows the patient's native heart to be preserved in situ, alongside the transplanted heterotopic donor heart. We present the case of a nulliparous woman who underwent heterotopic heart transplant in infancy, and subsequent explantation of the donor heart eleven years later, when her native heart function recovered. In adulthood the patient attended pre-pregnancy counselling and was awaiting cardiac magnetic resonance imaging when she presented pregnant at 6 weeks-of-gestation. She attended the joint cardiac obstetric and anaesthetic clinic, where she was reviewed monthly and had bi-monthly echocardiograms. At 35 weeks-of-gestation she was admitted to hospital with preeclampsia. After blood pressure control and steroid administration, a category 3 caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia was performed. To our knowledge this is the first case report describing pregnancy in a patient with a removed heterotopic heart transplant.