Cesarean Section and Emergency Operations in Pregnant Women With Cardiac Disease, 10-Year Results

Objectives: Cardiac disease complicates 1–4% of pregnancies, necessitating careful management and birth planning. This retrospective study examines anesthesia practices and outcomes in pregnant women with heart disease undergoing cesarean section (C/S) and emergency surgery at our cardiac center.
Methods: This retrospective study included all pregnant women with heart disease who underwent C/S or emergency surgery. Electronic and medical records of the patients were reviewed.
Results: The study included 74 pregnant patients, all of whom received general anesthesia. The most common cardiac condition was mitral valve replacement, followed by isolated pulmonary hypertension. Emergency C/S was performed in 23 patients, and one required emergency cardiopulmonary bypass. Maternal hospital mortality was 8.1%, with 72 live births. Extubation in the operating room was achieved in 24% of cases, while 22% remained in the ICU for more than a day. Two patients required ECMO, one of whom died postoperatively.
Conclusion: Close monitoring of pregnant women with cardiac disease throughout pregnancy is essential. Multidisciplinary management in specialized centers can significantly reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality.