Pregnancy and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome - maternal and fetal outcome

Abstract

Objective: to correlate the frequency of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in cases of WPW syndrome with gestational complications, fetal and newborn status.

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Methods: Two groups of pregnant women with WPW syndrome were studied: 10 patients suffering from frequent episodes of SVT, who required Cordaron treatment (I) and 8 patients with rare episodes, received potassium medication (II). In I cases (I) were performed radiofrequency ablation pathway Mahaim, but result was only palliative. Each patient underwent a surface EKG, Holter monitoring, color-Doppler echocardiography and, in selected cases, an electrophysiologic testing.

Results: There was significantly higher incidence of threatened abortion at 6-12 week of gestation (8 vs 3), EPH-gestosis (5 vs 1) and placental insufficiency (5 vs 1) in 1 group. All pregnancies terminated at term by vaginal delivery. In 5 cases (1 group) labor complicated with inefficient uterine contraction, that was corrected by oxytocin administration. There was no difference in Apgar score, birth weight, cord blood pH and short-term morbidity between newborns I and H groups.

Conclusions: This study suggests, that although women with WPW syndrome have higher rates of pregnancy and delivery complications, their risk of an adverse fetal outcome is not appreciably increased. Appropriate surgical treatment before pregnancy and pharmacological therapy during gestation could provide the satisfactory conditions for fetal growth and development.

However, due to very small number of patients, our results should be confirmed on larger study material.