Successful Pregnancy with HeartMate 3 (Abbott) Left Ventricular Assist Device

Pumping for Two: Pregnancy in Patients Supported With a Left Ventricular Assist Device

“…5,10 In the cardiac disease in pregnancy study (CARPREG) II risk assessment tool, a considerable proportion of pregnant women supported by an LVAD are likely to score in the categories of "previous cardiac events or arrhythmia," "ventricular dysfunction," and "pulmonary hypertension," which would classify them in a high-risk category. 11 However, the hemodynamic support provided by the LVAD may confound the utility of such a score. Patients with LVAD were not part of the original CARPREG II study or the validation of this scoring system.…”

“…Patients with LVAD were not part of the original CARPREG II study or the validation of this scoring system. 11 Females of reproductive age living with an LVAD are informed of the relative contraindication to pregnancy and are instructed to use reliable birth control. 3,5,8,11 This restriction is driven by consideration of both patient-related and LVAD-related factors (Figure 1).…”

“…11 Females of reproductive age living with an LVAD are informed of the relative contraindication to pregnancy and are instructed to use reliable birth control. 3,5,8,11 This restriction is driven by consideration of both patient-related and LVAD-related factors (Figure 1). Patient-related factors include the hemodynamic stress induced by pregnancy, most importantly increased circulating volume, and an increased risk of right ventricular (RV) failure during delivery.…”