Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in a Postpartum Patient with Superimposed Preeclampsia and COVID-19

A Prospective Analysis of Vitamin D Levels in Pregnant Women Diagnosed with Gestational Hypertension after SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The great majority of existing studies suggests that the prognosis and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infections are improved with adequate vitamin D levels, with or without supplementation. Simultaneously, whether vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy lessens the chance of developing gestational hypertension is controversial. The objective of the present research was to evaluate whether vitamin D levels during pregnancy differ substantially among pregnant women who develop gestational hypertension following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The current research was designed as a prospective cohort following the pregnant women admitted to our clinic with COVID-19 until 36 weeks of gestation. Total vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured in the three study groups in which pregnant women with COVID-19 during pregnancy and a diagnosis of hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation were considered the group of cases (GH-CoV). The second group (CoV) included those with COVID-19 and no hypertension, while the third group (GH) included those with hypertension and no COVID-19. It was observed that 64.4% of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the group of cases occurred during the first trimester, compared to 29.2% in the first trimester among the controls who did not develop GH. Normal vitamin D levels were measured at admission in a significantly higher proportion of pregnant women without GH (68.8% in the CoV group vs. 47.9% in the GH-CoV group and 45.8% in the GH group). At 36 weeks of gestation, the median values of 25(OH)D in the CoV group was 34.4 (26.9-39.7) ng/mL compared to 27.9 (16.2-32.4) ng/mL in the GH-CoV group and 29.5 ng/mL (18.4-33.2) in the GH group, while the blood pressure measurements remained over 140 mmHg among the groups who developed GH. There was a statistically significant negative association between serum 25(OH)D levels and systolic blood pressure (rho = -0.295; p-value = 0.031); however, the risk of developing GH was not significantly higher among pregnant women with COVID-19 if the vitamin D levels were insufficient (OR = 1.19; p-value = 0.092) or deficient (OR = 1.26; p-value = 0.057). Although insufficient or deficient vitamin D among pregnant women with COVID-19 was not an independent risk factor for the development of GH, it is likely that an association between first-trimester SARS-CoV-2 infection and low vitamin D plays a key role in developing gestational hypertension.

A Review of Cardiovascular Complications among Pregnant Patients with COVID-19

Cardiovascular complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are well-described in the general population but remain limited among pregnant patients. This review summarizes data from case reports, case series, and observational studies of cardiovascular manifestations of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant patients and provides recommendations to the cardiovascular clinician regarding management considerations in this vulnerable population. Pregna is an immunocompromised state in which cardiovascular demands are increased. Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 that have been described in pregnancy include myocardial injury, cardiomyopathy, thromboembolism, pre-eclampsia and arrhythmia. Physiologic and cardiovascular changes in pregnancy predispose pregnant patients with COVID-19 to more severe illness than the general population. Black or Hispanic race, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and lung disease are risk factors for more severe infection, maternal death and adverse perinatal outcomes. Pregnant patients with severe COVID-19 disease compared with non-pregnant age-matched women with COVID infection are more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), receive mechanical ventilation and require advanced mechanical circulatory support. Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 in pregnant patients requires further attention, particularly given the anticipated increase in birth volume and ongoing nature of COVID-19 pandemic with novel variants. Clinicians should have a lower threshold for cardiac testing and multidisciplinary management in pregnant women with severe COVID-19 disease. Given the persistence of COVID-19 within our communities, diagnostic laboratory and imaging testing for high-risk pregnant patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection should be routine. We strongly urge the implementation of a cardio-obstetric multidisciplinary team in individually managing these high-risk patients in an effort to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Pregnancy, Preeclampsia, and COVID-19: Susceptibility and Mechanisms: A Review Study

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters cells through angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which expression of its gene increases during pregnancy that is resulted in an enhanced level of the ACE2 enzyme. It might enhance the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications in the pregnant women. Although, pregnancy hypertensive disorders and severe infection with SARS-CoV-2 are correlated with high comorbidity, these two entities should be discriminated from each other. Also, there is a concern about the risk of preeclampsia and consequently severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) development in the pregnant women. So, to answer these questions, in the present review the literature was surveyed. It seems there is higher severity of COVID-19 among pregnant women than non-pregnant women and more adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2. In addition, an association between COVID-19 with preeclampsia and the role of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension as risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications is suggested. However, infection of the placenta and the SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission is rare. Various mechanisms could explain the role of COVID-19 in the risk of preeclampsia and association between preeclampsia and COVID-19. Suggested mechanisms are included decreased ACE2 activity and imbalance between Ang II and Ang-(1-7) in preeclampsia, association of both of severe forms of COVID-19 and pregnancy hypertensive disorders with comorbidity, and interaction between immune system, inflammatory cytokines and the renin angiotensin aldosterone system and its contribution to the hypertension pathogenesis. It is concluded that preeclampsia and gestational hypertension might be risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications.

The impact of COVID-19 during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review

Several months after the onset of the epidemic, COVID-19 remains a global health issue. Scientific data on pregnancy, perinatal outcomes and vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 are constantly emerging but are still limited and unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize current evidence on vertical transmission rates, maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes and mode of delivery in pregnancies affected by COVID-19. An extensive search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus databases up to June 20, 2020. A total of 133 articles (51 case reports, 31 case series, 40 cohort studies and 2 case-control studies) reporting data from 8,092 subjects (6,046 pregnant women and 2,046 neonates) were considered eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. A substantial proportion of pregnant women with COVID-19 underwent caesarean section (case reports 82.2%, case series 74.2% and cohort studies 66.0%). Regarding vertical transmission, most neonates were tested negative (case reports 92.7%, case series studies 84.2%, cohort studies 97.1% and case control studies 100%). Maternal mortality rates ranged from 1% in cohort studies to 5.7% in case reports; neonatal mortality ranged from 2% in case reports to 3.3% in case series. Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to child is rare. Careful screening of pregnant women seems important and specific guidelines with evidence-based decision algorithms for the mode of delivery in the context of a pregnancy affected by COVID-19 should be established.

Effect of COVID-19 on Mortality of Pregnant and Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Based on what is known at this time, pregnant women are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 compared to nonpregnant women. Additionally, pregnant women with COVID-19 might have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. To investigate the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on mortality of pregnant and postpartum women, we performed a systematic review of available published literature on pregnancies affected by COVID-19.

METHODS

Web of Science, SCOPUS, and MEDLINE- databases were searched for original studies concerning the effect of COVID-19 on mortality of pregnant and postpartum women published by July 10, 2020. Meta-analyses of proportions were used to combine data and report pooled proportions.

RESULTS

117 studies with a total of 11758 pregnant women were included. The age ranged between 15 and 48 years. Most subjects were infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the third trimester. Disease severity was not reported in 1125 subjects. Maternal mortality was 1.3%. In 100% of fatal cases with adequate data, fever alone or with cough was one of the presenting symptoms. Also, dyspnea (58.3%) and myalgia (50%) were the most common symptoms. Sore throat (8.3%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (anorexia, nausea) (8.3%) were rare. The rate of comorbidities was 20% among COVID-19 deaths. The majority of COVID-19-infected women who died had cesarean section (58.3%), 25% had a vaginal delivery, and 16.7% of patients were not full term.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 infection in pregnant women was associated with higher rates (and pooled proportions) of cesarean section and mortality. Because new data are continuously being generated and published, the findings of this study can be complete and updated with new researches. The results of this study can guide and improve prenatal counseling of COVID-19-infected pregnant women.

SARS-CoV-2 and cardiovascular complications: From molecular mechanisms to pharmaceutical management

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), elicited by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is a pandemic public health emergency of global concern. Other than the profound severe pulmonary damage, SARS-CoV-2 infection also leads to a series of cardiovascular abnormalities, including myocardial injury, myocarditis and pericarditis, arrhythmia and cardiac arrest, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and coagulation abnormalities. Meanwhile, COVID-19 patients with preexisting cardiovascular diseases are often at a much higher risk of increased morbidity and mortality. Up-to-date, a number of mechanisms have been postulated for COVID-19-associated cardiovascular damage including SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activation, cytokine storm, hypoxemia, stress and cardiotoxicity of antiviral drugs. In this context, special attention should be given towards COVID-19 patients with concurrent cardiovascular diseases, and special cardiovascular attention is warranted for treatment of COVID-19.

Cardiovascular Manifestations of COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the cause of COVID-19, was first reported in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 especially involves alveolar epithelial cells, which results in respiratory symptoms more severe in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) probably linked with increased secretion of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in these patients compared with healthy individuals. Cardiac manifestations may contribute to overall mortality and even be the primary cause of death in many of these patients. A higher prevalence of hypertension (HTN) followed by diabetes mellitus and CVD was observed in COVID-19 patients. A higher case-fatality rate was seen among patients with pre-existing comorbid conditions, such as diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, HTN, and cancer, compared to a lesser rate in the entire population. Cardiovascular (CV) manifestations of COVID-19 encompass a wide spectrum, including myocardial injury, infarction, myocarditis-simulating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, nonischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary vasospasm, pericarditis, or stress (takotsubo) cardiomyopathy. This review is intended to summarize our current understanding of the CV manifestations of COVID-19 and also to study the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and CVDs and discuss possible mechanisms of action behind SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced damage to the CV system.