A Single Center Study on Pregnacy and Allograf Function Outcomes Post Heart Transplant
Heart Transplant, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nasvhille, TN.
Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: B16
Keywords: Alloantibodies, Biopsy, Echocardiography
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session B: "A Descent into the Maelstrom": Complications After Heart Transplantation
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2015
Session Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Presentation Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Location: Exhibit Hall E
Pregnancy is a special time during a young woman's life, especially more so in those young women who are post heart transplant. The purpose of this abstract is to evaluate challenges facing young female heart transplant recipients who become pregnant and the way they are monitored, and the outcomes of those pregnancies and grafts.
Methods used to collect data was a retrospective review of those female recipients who had notified our center of pregnancy. These patients were monitored throughout pregnancy and post partum. All mothers had immunosupression regmien changed to calcineuron inhibitor and Imuran. Serial ECHO was utilized to limit radiation exposure, no biopsies were performed during pregnancy.
In study summary our center had a total of 4 recipients with a combined total of 14 pregnancies. 5 healthy live births were reported, 2 episodes of fetal demise after birth were reported, and 1 inutero demise was reported. Mothers were moniotred by ECHO and Allomap. No evidence of rejection was reported. 5 episodes of hypertension was reported, 5 episodes of dysrhythmia were reported, and 10 episodes of hyperglycemia were reported.
In conclusion it is not impossible for female post heart transplant recipients to experience pregnancy and deliver healthy babies. It is a process that needs to be discussed between recipient and provider to ensure healty outcomes for both mother and baby. One of the biggest risks to the unborn baby and mother is related to immunosupressive therapy. Because studies vary of the effect of individual medications on the unborn fetus during pregnancy, it is important to plan pregancy between the transplant team and prospective parents during pregnancy planning.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Adams S, Wigger M. A Single Center Study on Pregnacy and Allograf Function Outcomes Post Heart Transplant [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/a-single-center-study-on-pregnacy-and-allograf-function-outcomes-post-heart-transplant/. Accessed November 21, 2024.« Back to 2015 American Transplant Congress