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A PREGNANCY SURVEY: CURRENT ATTITUDE OF WOMEN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE REGARDING PREGNANCY IN NORTH AMERICA
A551 JACC March 17, 2015 Volume 65, Issue 10S
Congenital Heart Disease A Pregnancy Survey: Current Attitude of Women with Congenital Heart Disease Regarding Pregnancy in North America Poster Contributions Poster Hall B1 Sunday, March 15, 2015, 3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Session Title: Thinking of the Whole Patient in Congenital Heart Disease Abstract Category: 10. Congenital Heart Disease: Adult Presentation Number: 1221-321 Authors: Aarthi Sabanayagam, Ali Zaidi, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care, The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA, Montefiore Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program (MAtCH), Montefiore Einstein Heart Center, New York, NY, USA Background: With improved medical care more women with congenital heart disease (CHD) are now getting pregnant. Several women with CHD lack specific knowledge about their cardiac conditions and their need for specialized care during pregnancy and in the peripartum period.
Methods: We chose to evaluate the knowledge of women with CHD via a single cross sectional anonymous survey given to women attending the 7th National Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) Conference. Fifty questions were used to assess knowledge of their cardiac conditions and need for specialized prenatal care.
Results: A total of 77 women completed the survey. Fifty percent (N=39) had moderate and 38% (N=29) had severely complex CHD. Thirty percent (N=23) of women were told that pregnancy was contraindicated due to their underlying cardiac condition. Almost two thirds (N=50) of the women were considered to be high risk for adverse cardiovascular events. Eighty four percent (N=65) preferred their cardiologist to have trained in adult congenital heart disease, however 44% (N=34) would have been satisfied with adult cardiologists and 36% (N=28) with pediatric cardiologists providing care during pregnancy. Seventy percent (N=54) preferred having their prenatal cardiology visits at an adult facility. Two thirds (N=51) of the women had discussed cardiac complications and the risk of CHD transmission with their providers. Almost half (N=40) of the women thought they could get pregnant regardless of their condition while 11% (N=9) were not sure despite seeking regular ACHD care. Only 48% (N=37) were aware that they needed fetal echocardiograms during pregnancy and only 35% (N=27) had discussed modes of delivery with their health care providers. Seventy two percent (N=56) felt they needed high-risk obstetrics to be involved with their pregnancy and delivery. Conclusion: As more women with CHD are now getting pregnant, a multi-disciplinary and tailored approach with specialized care is needed for successful outcomes. Based on our results, further efforts are needed to improve the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of women with CHD in relation to their cardiac and obstetric management during pregnancy.
Congenital Heart Disease A Pregnancy Survey: Current Attitude of Women with Congenital Heart Disease Regarding Pregnancy in North America Poster Contributions Poster Hall B1 Sunday, March 15, 2015, 3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Session Title: Thinking of the Whole Patient in Congenital Heart Disease Abstract Category: 10. Congenital Heart Disease: Adult Presentation Number: 1221-321 Authors: Aarthi Sabanayagam, Ali Zaidi, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care, The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA, Montefiore Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program (MAtCH), Montefiore Einstein Heart Center, New York, NY, USA Background: With improved medical care more women with congenital heart disease (CHD) are now getting pregnant. Several women with CHD lack specific knowledge about their cardiac conditions and their need for specialized care during pregnancy and in the peripartum period.
Methods: We chose to evaluate the knowledge of women with CHD via a single cross sectional anonymous survey given to women attending the 7th National Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) Conference. Fifty questions were used to assess knowledge of their cardiac conditions and need for specialized prenatal care.
Results: A total of 77 women completed the survey. Fifty percent (N=39) had moderate and 38% (N=29) had severely complex CHD. Thirty percent (N=23) of women were told that pregnancy was contraindicated due to their underlying cardiac condition. Almost two thirds (N=50) of the women were considered to be high risk for adverse cardiovascular events. Eighty four percent (N=65) preferred their cardiologist to have trained in adult congenital heart disease, however 44% (N=34) would have been satisfied with adult cardiologists and 36% (N=28) with pediatric cardiologists providing care during pregnancy. Seventy percent (N=54) preferred having their prenatal cardiology visits at an adult facility. Two thirds (N=51) of the women had discussed cardiac complications and the risk of CHD transmission with their providers. Almost half (N=40) of the women thought they could get pregnant regardless of their condition while 11% (N=9) were not sure despite seeking regular ACHD care. Only 48% (N=37) were aware that they needed fetal echocardiograms during pregnancy and only 35% (N=27) had discussed modes of delivery with their health care providers. Seventy two percent (N=56) felt they needed high-risk obstetrics to be involved with their pregnancy and delivery. Conclusion: As more women with CHD are now getting pregnant, a multi-disciplinary and tailored approach with specialized care is needed for successful outcomes. Based on our results, further efforts are needed to improve the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of women with CHD in relation to their cardiac and obstetric management during pregnancy.