Abstract:
Introduction: Our unit has been studying the changing
pattern of heart disease over the past five decades.
Although there is a relative decrease in the incidence
of rheumatic heart disease in developing countries, the
advancement of facilities for cardiac investigations has
lead to the increase in the diagnosis of cardiac lesion.
Objectives: To study the current pattern of heart disease.
Study Design : Retrospective descriptive study.
Setting: University Obstetric Unit, De Soysa Hospital
for Women, Colombo.
Method : Data collected from the records of 152-
consecutive mothers with heart disease who delivered
during the period from 01/09/98 to 30/11/00.
Results : 46%(n=70) had rheumatic valvular disease,
30%(n=45) had congenital heart disease and
24%(n=37) had Mitral Valve Prolapse.
MS-MR (45.7%) and MS (34.2%) were the leading
cardiac pathologies in the category of rheumatic heart
disease.
ASD (57.8%) and VSD (28.9%) were the main
congenital lesions.
Two maternal deaths due to heart disease complicating
pregnancy were recorded during this period.
The ratio between congenital heart disease and
rheumatic heart disease was 1:1.55, compared to
1:1.54(1993-1994), 1:1.93(1989-1992),1:4.11(1974-
1977),1:3.37(1965-1967) and 1:2.1(1950-1952).
Conclusion : Heart disease complicating pregnancy,
both rheumatic and congenital in origin is a significant
problem in obstetric practice. The change in trend
observed in 1993-94 is maintained though there
appears to be a slight increase in rheumatic heart
disease.
