Background: Portal hypertension in pregnancy is characterized by an increased perinatal and maternal complication rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perinatal and maternal outcomes of these high-risk pregnancies at our tertiary center.
Methods: We identified pregnancies with portal hypertension in our departmental database for the years 2013 to 2021. The medical history and perinatal and maternal data were extracted from medical records.
Results: Eleven cases were identified. In pregnancy, delivery and postpartum, complications occurred in 72.7% of cases and included among others ascites, subclavian thrombosis, variceal-ligation-induced ulcer bleeding and postoperative hemorrhage. The cesarean delivery rate was 72.7% (n = 8); five of these were done for obstetric or fetal indications. The rate of preterm birth and admissions to neonatal intensive care unit were high (54.5% and 45.5%, respectively).
Conclusions: Our case series substantiates the high maternal and perinatal complication rates seen in portal hypertension. The prevention of thromboembolic and bleeding complications was the main challenge. Care by an interdisciplinary team of experts is crucial for a successful perinatal and maternal outcome.
Keywords: maternal complication; portal hypertension; pregnancy; variceal bleeding.