Young women who received bioprosthetic aortic valves were far more likely to successfully deliver a baby than those with mechanical valves, a Swedish registry study found. The tradeoff? Higher rates of spontaneous abortion and valve reintervention. The findings could help inform shared decision-making for women of childbearing age weighing valve options.
For young women facing aortic valve replacement, the choice of valve type carries major implications beyond the heart — it affects their ability to have children. A new Swedish registry study published in JACC sheds light on just how significant that tradeoff can be.
Researchers tracked 251 women aged 18–40 who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement between 1997 and 2024. Women with bioprosthetic valves were dramatically more likely to deliver a baby — likely because mechanical valves require lifelong anticoagulation, which poses serious risks during pregnancy.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These data offer a clearer picture for shared decision-making between clinicians and young women planning families. While bioprosthetic valves support better pregnancy outcomes, the significantly higher reintervention rate means patients need to go in fully informed.
