Adult CHD: the ongoing need for physician counselling about heredity and contraceptive options

Contraceptive counselling and uptake of contraception among women with cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To address the lack of clarity regarding contraceptive counselling and uptake of contraception among women with cardiovascular disease (CVD), this study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on contraceptive counselling and the subsequent uptake of contraception among women with CVD. A search across six databases identified 1228 articles, with 11 studies (2580 participants) included. The pooled prevalence of contraceptive counselling was 63%, varying from 36 to 94% in individual studies. Inconsistent delivery and documentation of counselling were noted, along with a lack of knowledge about pregnancy complications and misconceptions regarding CVD severity. For contraceptive uptake (n = 5), the pooled prevalence was 64% (95% confidence interval, 45 to 82%). Women with CVD were also found to use less effective methods as well as methods not recommended for their condition (e.g., combined hormonal methods among participants with absolute or relative contraindications). Improving contraceptive counselling and choices for women with CVD can not only enhance knowledge and decision-making for women with CVD in line with their reproductive goals and preferences but reduce high-risk unintended pregnancies and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Objective and Personalized Assessment of Disease-Related Knowledge Among Patients With Congenital Heart Disease - Development and Validation of the Japanese Version of the Leuven Knowledge Questionnaire for Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Disease understanding in patients with congenital heart disease is important in transitional and lifelong care. This study aimed to develop the Japanese version of the Leuven Knowledge Questionnaire for Congenital Heart Disease (LKQCHD) and identify factors associated with disease-related knowledge. Methods and Results: After confirming the content and face validity of the scale, a questionnaire including the LKQCHD was distributed to 59 eligible patients aged >16 years attending a university hospital. For the 58 participants who responded (30 males, 28 females; median age 22 years), the mean (±SD) LKQCHD total score was 53.7±15.4, with mean (±SD) scores for each domain as follows: Disease and Treatment, 68.3±19.7; Preventing Complications, 45.8±19.0; Physical Activity, 74.1±34.1; Sex and Heredity, 37.9±35.4; and Contraception and Pregnancy, 40.2±29.1. Regarding known-groups validity, we found a positive correlation between the LKQCHD score and age (ρ=0.268, P=0.042), and a significantly low LKQCHD score in the moderate/severe disease group (η²=0.131, P=0.021). Regarding convergent validity, the LKQCHD score was positively correlated with the total and subscale scores of the Resilience Assessment Tool (r=0.213 [P=0.109] and r=0.405 [P=0.002], respectively). Conclusions: We confirmed the validity of the Japanese version of the LKQCHD, concluding that patient education regarding long-term complications, prevention methods, heredity, pregnancy, and childbirth is needed.

A new era of genetic testing in congenital heart disease: A review

Genetic and genomic testing in pediatric CHD is becoming increasingly routine, and can have important psychosocial, clinical and reproductive implications. In this paper we highlight important challenges and considerations when providing genetics consults and testing in pediatric CHD and illustrate the role of a dedicated CHD genetics clinic. Key lessons include that a) a genetic diagnosis can have clinical utility that justifies testing early in life, b) adequate genetic counselling is crucial to ensure families are supported, understand the range of possible results, and are prepared for new or unexpected health information, and c) further integration of the clinical genetics and cardiology workflows will be required to effectively manage the burgeoning information arising from genetic testing. Our experience demonstrates that a dedicated CHD genetics clinic is a valuable addition to a multidisciplinary team providing care to children with CHD.

Adolescents with congenital heart defects: a patient and parental perspective of genetic information and genetic risk

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) occur in 8 of 1000 live-born children, making them common birth defects in the adolescent population. CHDs may have single gene, chromosomal, or multifactorial causes. Despite evidence that patients with CHD want information on heritability and genetics, no studies have investigated the interest or knowledge base in the adolescent population. This information is necessary as patients in adolescence take greater ownership of their health care and discuss reproductive risks with their physicians. The objectives of this survey-based study were to determine adolescents' recall of their own heart condition, to assess patient and parent perception of the genetic contribution to the adolescent's CHD, and to obtain information about the preferred method(s) for education. The results show that adolescent patients had good recall of their type of CHD. Less than half of adolescents and parents believed their CHD had a genetic basis or was heritable; however, adolescents with a positive family history of CHD were more likely to believe that their condition was genetic (p = 0.0005). The majority of patients were interested in receiving additional genetics education and preferred education in-person and in consultation with both parents and a physician. The adolescents who felt most competent to have discussions with their doctors regarding potential causes of their heart defect previously had a school science course which covered topics in genetics. These results provide insight into adolescents' perceptions and understanding about their CHD and genetic risk and may inform the creation and provision of additional genetic education.