Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2002
Improved diagnosis and corrective cardiac surgery has led to an increasing number of women with congenital heart diseases reaching reproductive age. Pregnancy places considerable strain on the heart and circulation, requiring marked cardiorespiratory adaptation. Today, with the exception of the Eisenmenger syndrome, there is no increased mortality associated with pregnancy in congenital heart disease. In contrast, there is still considerable morbidity, due to congestive heart failure, thromboembolic complications and disturbances of rhythm.