First and second trimester induced abortions in women with cardiac disorders: A 12-year analysis from a developing country

Summary

This was a retrospective analysis of induced abortions (1st and 2nd trimester) in women with cardiac disease over a 12-year period (September 1994–December 2006). Of the 3,096 women who underwent an induced abortion during this period, 65 (2.1%) had an associated cardiac disease (NYHA class I or II = 58, class III or IV = 7). Their mean age was 29.6 years and 48/65 (73.9%) had opted for concurrent sterilisation. Nearly all 1st trimester abortions (52/53) were performed by suction evacuation. Among the 12 women undergoing 2nd trimester abortions, seven received vaginal misoprostol with or without oral mifepristone, four received varying combinations of intracervical dinoprostone, extra-amniotic saline (EAS) and oxytocin and elective hysterotomy was performed in one. Complications observed among the 1st trimester terminations were incomplete abortion in 1/53 (1.8%) and prolonged bleeding in 3/53 (5.6%). Method failure was the only complication seen in 2/12 (16.6%) 2nd trimester abortions. There was no major morbidity or mortality. Mifepristone and misoprostol used for 2nd trimester induced abortions were found to be safe in the few women so treated.

Keywords:

• Cardiac disorders
• induced abortion
• heart disease
• termination of pregnancy
• TOP
• complications