01/12/2025
As the PEARS procedure is increasingly performed, research is steadily accumulating, and the most recent relates to pregnancy. Our Trustee, Consultant Cardiologist Professor Christoph Nienaber, has just published an article in Nature Magazine, and our precis is below.
PEARS, the personalised external aortic root support procedure, does not remove the dilated portion of the aorta. Instead, a bespoke 3D-printed textile sleeve, created from a specialised CT scan, is fitted around the enlarged aortic root to prevent further dilatation. Over time, this sleeve becomes incorporated into the aortic wall.
Professor Nienaber's case series reports nine successful pregnancies in women with Marfan or Loeys–Dietz syndromes who had previously undergone the PEARS procedure. No aortic dissections or maternal deaths were observed.
Aortic dimensions remained stable throughout pregnancy and postpartum, and no hypertensive pregnancy disorders occurred. Both vaginal delivery and Caesarean section were safely undertaken.
Although small, the study suggests PEARS may be a promising pre-conception option for selected women with aortopathy. Here is a link to Professor Christoph Nienaber’s full article. https://tinyurl.com/a4vy7t45