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Objectives Adequate prepregnancy prediction of maternal cardiovascular and offspring risk is important for counselling and management of pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease (CHD). Therefore we performed a study to identify the optimal assessment strategy for estimating the risk of pregnancy in women with CHD. Methods In this prospective study, we determined the outcomes of 213 pregnancies in 203 women with CHD. The ZAHARA I (Zwangerschap bij Aangeboren HARtAfwijkingen I) and CARPREG (CARdiac disease in PREGnancy) risk scores were calculated for each pregnancy, as was the total number of cardiovascular (TPc) or offspring risk predictors (TPo) from these and other studies combined. Pregnancies were also classified according to the modified WHO classification of maternal cardiovascular risk and according to disease complexity (DC). Results Maternal cardiovascular events occurred during 22 pregnancies (10.3%). Offspring events occurred during 77 pregnancies in 81 children (37.3%). Cardiovascular and offspring event rates increased with higher risk scores, higher TPc or TPo, higher WHO class and greater DC. The highest area under the curve (AUC) for maternal cardiovascular risk was achieved by the WHO class (AUC: 0.77, p<0.0001). AUC for the ZAHARA I risk score was 0.71 (p=0.001), and for the CARPREG risk score 0.57 (p=0.32). All models performed insufficiently in predicting offspring events (AUC≤0.6). Conclusions The WHO classification is the best available risk assessment model for estimating cardiovascular risk in pregnant women with CHD. None of the offspring prediction models perform adequately in our cohort.

ObjectiveThere is growing evidence that maternal mortality in pregnant women with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD) is lower than that in available data. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, we collected data of pregnancies in women with PAH-CHD.MethodsWomen with PAH-CHD followed in seven French referral centres were retrospectively included from 1997 to 2015. All pregnancies were recorded. We collected data on maternal, obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.Results28 pregnancies in 20 women (26±6 years old) with PAH-CHD were managed during this period. There were 18 complete pregnancies (≥20 weeks’ gestation (WG)), 8 abortions and 2 miscarriages. Six (33%, 95% CI (11.9 to 54.3)) patients experienced severe cardiac events. The concerned women had lower resting oxygen saturation (79.6±4.1% vs 89.3±3.8%, p<0.01). The most common cardiac complications during the complete pregnancies were heart failure (n=4) and severe hypoxaemia (n=5). Heart failure was overall severe, requiring inotropic treatment in three patients, mechanical circulatory support in one and led to one maternal death (mortality=5.0% 95% CI (0.1 to 24.9)). Obstetrical complications occurred in 25% of pregnancies. Small for gestational age was diagnosed in 39% (7/18) of fetuses. 12/18 (67%) pregnancies were delivered by caesarean section, of which 10 in emergency for obstetrical reason. Prematurity was frequent (78%), but no neonatal death occurred.ConclusionsOutcome of pregnancy in women with PAH-CHD is better than previously reported, with only 5% maternal mortality in our cohort. However, because of the severity of heart failure and the high rate of neonatal complications, patients should still be advised against pregnancy.

The maternal cardiovascular system undergoes dramatic remodeling in response to the stresses of pregnancy. Although in most cases these changes are temporary and well tolerated, in others they can give rise to complications, including cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Despite an increasing number of preclinical models to study these diseases, specific treatments for any of these pregnancy complications are lacking. As the maternal mortality rate is rising in the United States, it is critical to understand the molecular mechanisms driving cardiovascular changes during pregnancy, and the pathology that can result.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which may manifest as pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a serious and potentially fatal condition. Treatment and prevention of obstetric-related VTE is complicated by the need to consider fetal, as well as maternal, wellbeing when making management decisions. Although absolute VTE rates in this population are low, obstetric-associated VTE is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. This manuscript, initiated by the Anticoagulation Forum, provides practical clinical guidance on the prevention and treatment of obstetric-associated VTE based on existing guidelines and consensus expert opinion based on available literature where guidelines are lacking.

The objective of this review was to describe the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) in pregnancy and the postpartum period. We conducted a systematic review of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus from January 1, 1988, through October 31, 2012. Included studies reported on women who met the modified Duke criteria for the diagnosis of IE and were pregnant or postpartum. We included 72 studies that described 90 cases of peripartum IE, mostly affecting native valves (92%). Risk factors associated with IE included intravenous drug use (14%), congenital heart disease (12%), and rheumatic heart disease (12%). The most common pathogens were streptococcal (43%) and staphylococcal (26%) species. Septic pulmonary, central, and other systemic emboli were common complications. Of the 51 pregnancies, there were 41 (80%) deliveries with survival to discharge, 7 (14%) fetal deaths, 1 (2%) medical termination of pregnancy, and 2 (4%) with unknown status. Maternal mortality was 11%. Infective endocarditis is a rare, life-threatening infection in pregnancy. Risk factors are changing with a marked decrease in rheumatic heart disease and an increase in intravenous drug use. The cases reported in the literature were commonly due to streptococcal organisms, involved the right-sided valves, and were associated with intravenous drug use.

Background. Pregnancy is one of the major risk factors for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Objective. To elucidate the circumstances surrounding pregnancy-induced deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), assess potential factors triggering thrombosis (e.g., thrombophilia, obesity, age, parity, and family history), initial and long-term management, and assess recurrence rate and mortality for VTE in pregnant Saudi women. Methods. A retrospective chart review of 180 patients with objectively confirmed VTE (DVT, PE, or both) that occurred during pregnancy, or the postpartum period was conducted. All patients who experienced episodes of objectively confirmed VTE were included. Results. Overall, 180 patients were included. Further, 60% (n=109) and 40% (n=71) of the VTE cases occurred during the postpartum and antenatal periods, respectively. Cesarean section was the most prevalent risk factor among study participants (n=86 (47.8%)), followed by obesity (n=73 (40.6%)). The most common clinical presentations were lower leg pain (57.2%) and lower limb swelling (54.4%). VTE recurrences were observed in approximately 11% of the participants, and maternal mortality occurred in 2 (1.1%) cases. Conclusion. Pregnancy was the most common provoking factor for VTE in our study. Pregnant women should undergo formal, written assessments of risk factors for VTE at the first visit and delivery. Larger studies with a randomized design, and control groups are required to confirm the current findings.

Background Pregnancy-associated Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the most common causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in developed countries. In this study, we aimed to systematically review and critical appraisal of guidelines to compare the recommendations in pregnancy-associated VTE. Methods Guidelines in English between January 1, 2009 and November 31, 2018 were searched using Medline via PubMed, as well as the guidelines’ website. The guidelines containing the recommendations on pregnancy-associated VTE were included. Through the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument, three reviewers appraised the quality of the included guidelines. The recommendations were also summarized and compared to analyze the consistency. Results Fifteen guidelines from 13 organizations were included. Ten guidelines from nine organizations, namely, ACCP, ANZJOG, ASH, Australia, ESC, Korea, RCOG, SASTH, SOCC, were regarded as “strongly recommended for use in practice”. Most of the included guidelines scored low in lower scores in domain 3 (Rigor of development) and domain 6 (Editorial independence). Recommendations on prevention are contained in ten guidelines while treatment are included in seven. The main conflicting recommendations were mainly at the anticoagulant choice for prevention on pregnant women and prevention after cesarean section. The duration of VTE treatment in pregnant women was also controversial. Conclusions In summary, the quality of pregnancy-associated VTE guidelines varied widely, especially in Rigor of development and Editorial independence. Recommendations were inconsistent both in prevention and treatment across guidelines. Increased efforts are required to provide high-quality evidence specific to the pregnancy population. Guideline developers should also pay more attention to methodological quality.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a disorder in which initial left ventricular systolic dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure occur between the late stages of pregnancy and the early postpartum period. It is common in some countries and rare in others. The causes and pathogenesis are poorly understood. Molecular markers of an inflammatory process are found in most patients. Clinical presentation includes usual signs and symptoms of heart failure, and unusual presentations relating to thromboembolism. Clinicians should consider PPCM in any peripartum patient with unexplained disease. Conventional heart failure treatment includes use of diuretics, β blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Effective treatment reduces mortality rates and increases the number of women who fully recover left ventricular systolic function. Outcomes for subsequent pregnancy after PPCM are better in women who have first fully recovered heart function. Areas for future research include immune system dysfunction, the role of viruses, non-conventional treatments such as immunosuppression, immunoadsorption, apheresis, antiviral treatment, suppression of proinflammatory cytokines, and strategies for control and prevention.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an uncommon but serious form of heart failure affecting women during late pregnancy or early postpartum. This territory-wide multicentre retrospective study aimed to evaluate the local incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes, including subsequent pregnancies, in Hong Kong. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for women who delivered at all public hospitals between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2022 and met the 2010 European Society of Cardiology Working Group criteria for PPCM. Regression analysis was performed to investigate maternal risk factors. Thirty Asian women were diagnosed with PPCM, corresponding to an incidence of 1 in 11 179 live births. Eleven (36.7%) had antepartum onset of symptoms, and 25 (83.3%) were diagnosed after childbirth, most presenting with severe symptoms (90%). The median left ventricular ejection fraction was 30% (range, 10%-44%). Notable complications included cardiogenic shock (10%), respiratory failure (23.3%), acute renal failure (23.3%), and thromboembolism (23.3%). Most women received guideline-directed heart failure therapy. At 12 months, all-cause mortality was 6.7%, and cardiac recovery occurred in 60%. Eleven women had 13 subsequent pregnancies (three miscarriages, five terminations, and five live births). There were no maternal deaths or cases of recurrent PPCM. Genetic testing identified potentially pathogenic variants in at least 10% of women. Antenatal anaemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=13.04; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=3.72-45.70) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (adjusted OR=38.00; 95% CI=9.66-149.52) were associated with higher odds of PPCM. This study highlights the substantial morbidity and mortality associated with PPCM. Genetic testing may aid in risk stratification and prognostication.

Objective The objective was to investigate maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in pregnancy based on different altitudes of residence in the southwest plateau area of China. Methods Data were collected from pregnant women with PH admitted to The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2021. All pregnant women with PH were diagnosed via echocardiography according to a pulmonary arterial systolic pressure > 30 mmHg. Patients were classified into three groups according to the altitude of residence during pregnancy. Demographic characteristics, maternal and neonatal outcomes, complications, and follow-up outcomes after discharge were reported. Results Fifty-two pregnant women with PH were included. Among the included women, eleven (21.2%) were in the low-altitude group, twenty-six (50.0%) were in the medium-altitude group, and fifteen (28.8%) were in the high-altitude group. The overall mortality rate was 5.8%: death up to 6 weeks after delivery occurred in one patient (1.9%), and the other two patients (4.9%) died within one to four years after delivery. Preterm delivery occurred in 22 (42.3%) patients. The incidences of maternal death (11.5% vs. 0.0, p  < 0.01), cesarean delivery (80.8% vs. 70.7% vs. 80.0%, p  = 0.001), and live birth (84.6% vs. 72.7% vs. 80.0%, p  < 0.01) were higher in the medium-altitude group than in the low- and high-altitude groups. Therapeutic abortion was performed in 15.4% of the women, with the highest rate in the high-altitude group ( p  < 0.01). The rates of heart failure and respiratory failure were highest in the low-altitude group ( p  < 0.01). No fetal death occurred, and 22 neonates (42.3%) had a low birth weight. During a median follow-up of 2.4 years, two patients died (4.9%), and seven (17.1%) still had PH. Conclusion The in-hospital mortality rate of pregnant women with PH in the plateau area is similar to that previously reported in the low-altitude region, but the long-term survival rate is lower. Therapeutic abortion is also higher in pregnant women with a high altitude of residence. These findings highlight that the risks associated with PH in pregnancy persist beyond delivery and underscore the importance of early risk assessment, rigorous multidisciplinary management, and prolonged postpartum follow-up, especially in plateau populations with limited access to specialized care.