Pregnancy after cardiac transplantation - a review

Cardiac transplantation (HTX) is accepted as an effective treatment for som e end-stage cardiac diseases. Maternal risks during pregnancies after HTX i nclude: hypertension, allograft rejection, infections and renal insufficien cy. Potential risks to the fetus include side effects of immunosuppressives , preterm delivery and growth restriction. Pregnancies in cardiac transplan t recipients should be considered high risk. This review demonstrates the v ariety of problems concerning pregnancy and delivery after HTX to help the doctor to advise these patients.