Management of pregnancy and delivery in women with Kawasaki disease and residual coronary artery lesion with detailed analysis of labor analgesia: combined experience of 13 cases in two institutions

INTRODUCTION: Approximately half of Kawasaki disease patients are expected to have transitioned to adulthood, and an increasing number of patients with cardiovascular sequelae have gotten pregnant. Management of women with Kawasaki disease who have residual coronary artery disease is poorly established. Thus, we conducted detailed analysis of these cases. METHODS: We reviewed 19 pregnancies in 13 such women in two tertiary perinatal facilities, Saitama Medical Center and National Cardiovascular Center. The medical records were reviewed in all women with Kawasaki disease and coronary artery lesion between 1998 and 2015, with regard to age of diagnosis, types of coronary artery lesion, location, previous treatment, pregnancy course and medical management for coronary lesion, cardiac function, and planned mode of delivery. RESULTS: Fourteen parturients attempted vaginal delivery, and all but one received neuraxial analgesia, providing stable hemodynamics. Four elective and two emergency cesarean deliveries were performed due to obstetric indications, while one woman required cesarean delivery at preterm due to maternal cardiac indication. Among 14 attempted vaginal deliveries, instrumental vaginal delivery was performed in 50%. Cardiac events were noted in four women, all in post-partum period, such as non-sustained ventricular tachycardia or chest discomfort without ECG changes. Antithrombotic medication was exclusively low dose aspirin in 11 of 19 pregnancies (58%), and none received anticoagulation during pregnancy or delivery. CONCLUSION: Our case series support the practice of preferred vaginal delivery, with neuraxial labor analgesia in indicated patients, while highlighting the need for vigilance in the post-partum period.