Balloon aortic valvuloplasty in pregnancy with severe aortic stenosis and infective endocarditis

Twenty seven year old lady, previously diagnosed to have aortic stenosis, presented to the obstetric outpatient department at 19 weeks of gestation with fever and breathlessness, NYHA class 4, for one week. Two D Echo revealed left ventricular hypertrophy, a severely stenosed, calcified bicuspid aortic valve, with vegetations on aortic and mitral valves and severe mitral regurgitation. Blood cultures grew nutrionally variant streptococci and she was treated with crystalline penicillin and gentamicin. She stabilised clinically by 21 weeks, by which time, the risk of termination of pregnancy was comparable to continuing the pregnancy. She underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty. Post balloon aortic valvuloplasty, she was stable. At 34+2 weeks, she underwent emergency LSCS, the indication being intrauterine growth restriction with fetal compromise and breech presentation. She delivered a baby girl, 1.6 kg, Apgar 9 & 10. Our case report highlights the fact that a timely, balloon aortic valvuloplasty can be life saving for patients with pregnancy complicated by severe aortic stenosis and infective endocarditis. [Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2012; 1(1.000): 69-71]