Sex and gender differences in symptoms of myocardial ischaemia

Challenges and opportunities in patients with adult congenital heart disease, a narrative review

Adult congenital heart disease Pregnancy Transition of care Challenges heart failure.

Transcatheter heart valve interventions for patients with rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease [RHD] is the most prevalent cause of valvular heart disease in the world, outstripping degenerative aortic stenosis numbers fourfold. Despite this, global resources are firmly aimed at improving the management of degenerative disease. Reasons remain complex and include lack of resources, expertise, and overall access to valve interventions in developing nations, where RHD is most prevalent. Is it time to consider less invasive alternatives to conventional valve surgery? Several anatomical and pathological differences exist between degenerative and rheumatic valves, including percutaneous valve landing zones. These are poorly documented and may require dedicated solutions when considering percutaneous intervention. Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is the treatment of choice for severe mitral stenosis (MS) but is reserved for patients with suitable valve anatomy without significant mitral regurgitation (MR), the commonest lesion in RHD. Valvuloplasty also rarely offers a durable solution for patients with rheumatic aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic regurgitation (AR). MR and AR pose unique challenges to successful transcatheter valve implantation as landing zone calcification, so central in docking transcatheter aortic valves in degenerative AS, is often lacking. Surgery in young RHD patients requires mechanical prostheses for durability but morbidity and mortality from both thrombotic complications and bleeding on Warfarin remains excessively high. Also, redo surgery rates are high for progression of aortic valve disease in patients with prior mitral valve replacement (MVR). Transcatheter treatments may offer a solution to anticoagulation problems and address reoperation in patients with prior MVR or failing ventricles, but would have to be tailored to the rheumatic environment. The high prevalence of MR and AR, lack of calcification and other unique anatomical challenges remain. Improvements in tissue durability, the development of novel synthetic valve leaflet materials, dedicated delivery systems and docking stations or anchoring systems to securely land the transcatheter devices, would all require attention. We review the epidemiology of RHD and discuss anatomical differences between rheumatic valves and other pathologies with a view to transcatheter solutions. The shortcomings of current RHD management, including current transcatheter treatments, will be discussed and finally we look at future developments in the field.

Maternal and neonatal complications during delivery according to passive versus active second stage in woman with medical conditions (ComPActSS)

Background

The incidence of serious complications during vaginal delivery with a passive second stage in women with medical conditions is unknown.

Methods

Our retrospective cohort study with matched groups (pairing 1 passive with 2 active second stage) included women who had a medical delivery plan from the high risk obstetric team at our center. The primary outcome was a composite of major maternal and neonatal complications.

Results

The primary outcome occurred in 50% (12/24) of women in the passive group versus 35.4% (17/48) (p = 0.24) in the active group. In the passive group, we observed a longer passive second stage of labor (28 vs. 8 min, p < 0.001), a tendency towards more assisted vaginal births (29.2% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.08), and more traumatic deliveries (16.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.012).

Conclusion

The higher proportion of complications in women who had a passive second stage should encourage physicians to make this recommendation only in selected cases.

Pregnancy-Associated Myocardial Infarction: A Review of Current Practices and Guidelines

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pregnancy-associated myocardial infarction is a principal cause of cardiovascular disease with a steadily rising incidence of 4.98 AMI events/100,000 deliveries over the last four decades in the USA. It is also linked with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, with maternal case fatality rate ranging from 5.1 to 37%. The management of acute myocardial infarction can be challenging in pregnant patients since treatment modalities and medication use are limited by their safety during pregnancy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Limited guidelines exist regarding the management of pregnancy-associated myocardial infarction. Routinely used medications in myocardial infarction including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and statin therapy are contraindicated during pregnancy. Aspirin use is considered safe in pregnant women, but dual antiplatelet therapy and therapeutic anticoagulation can be associated with increased risk of maternal and fetal complications, and should only be used after a comprehensive benefit-to-risk assessment. The standard approach to revascularization requires additional caution in pregnant women. Percutaneous coronary intervention is generally considered safe but can be associated with high failure rates and poor outcomes depending on the etiology. Fibrinolytic therapy may have significant sequelae in pregnant patients, and hemodynamic management during surgery is complex and adds risk during pregnancy. Understanding the risks and benefits of the different treatment modalities available and their utility depending on the underlying etiology, encompassed with a multidisciplinary team approach, is vital to improve outcomes and minimize maternal and fetal complications.

Sex differences in CRT device implantation rates, efficacy, and complications following implantation: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

INTRODUCTION

There is abundant evidence for sex differences in the diagnosis, implantation, and outcomes for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. Controversial data suggesting women are less likely to receive the device regardless of the greater benefit. The aim of this review is to assess sex differences in the implantation rate, clinical effectiveness, and safety of patients receiving CRT devices.

METHODS

We will conduct a systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science to identify cohort studies that meet our eligibility criteria. Title and full text screening will be conducted in duplicate independently. Eligible studies report clinical effectiveness or safety of patients receiving CRT device while providing sex-disaggregated data. Implantation rate will be extracted from the baseline characteristics tables of the studies. The effectiveness outcomes include the following: all-cause death, hospitalization, peak oxygen consumption (pVO₂), quality of life (QoL), 6-min walk test, NYHA class reduction, LVEF, and heart failure hospitalization. The complication outcomes include the following: contrast-induced nephropathy, pneumothorax, pocket-related hematoma, pericardial tamponade, phrenic nerve stimulation, device infection, death, pulmonary edema, electrical storm, cardiogenic shock, and hypotension requiring resuscitation. Description of included studies will be reported in detail and outcomes will be meta-analyzed and presented using forest plots when feasible. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) by two review authors independently. GRADE approach will be used to assess the certainty of evidence.

DISCUSSION

The aim of this review is to determine the presence of differences in CRT implantation between women and men as well as differences in clinical effectiveness and safety of CRT after device implantation. Results from this systematic review will provide important insights into sex differences in CRT devices that could contribute to the development of sex-specific recommendations and inform policy.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020204804.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a review

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of idiopathic systolic heart failure which occurs during the end of pregnancy or the early post-partum in the absence of an identifiable etiology. The exact pathogenesis remains unknown, and the incidence is higher in African ancestry, multiparous and hypertensive women, or older maternal age. Delay in diagnosis is common, mainly because symptoms of heart failure mimic those of normal pregnancy. Echocardiography showing decreased myocardial function is at the center of the diagnosis. Management relies on the general guidelines of management of other forms of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy; however, special attention should be paid when choosing medications to ensure fetal safety. Outcomes can be variable and can range from complete recovery to persistent heart failure requiring transplant or even death. High rates of relapse with subsequent pregnancies can occur, especially with incomplete myocardial recovery. Additional research about the etiology, experimental drugs, prognosis, and duration of treatment after recovery are needed.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Cardiovascular Risk Marker May Be Less Efficient in Women Than in Men

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, although traditionally, it has been considered as a male dominated disease. Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of insulin resistance, diabetes type 2 and CVD. Since studies on women were scarce, in order to improve diagnosis and treatment of CVD, there is a need to improve understanding of the role of inflammation in the development of CVD in women. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inexpensive and widely available marker of inflammation, and has been studied in cardio-metabolic disorders. There is a paucity of data on sex specific differences in the lifetime course of NLR. Men and women differ to each other in sex hormones and characteristics of immune reaction and the expression of CVD. These factors can determine NLR values and their variations along the life course. In particular, menopause in women is a period associated with profound physiological and hormonal changes, and is coincidental with aging. An emergence of CV risk factors with aging, and age-related changes in the immune system, are factors that are associated with an increase in prevalence of CVD in both sexes. The aim of this review is to comprehend the available evidence on this issue, and to discuss sex specific differences in the lifetime course of NLR in the light of immune and inflammation mechanisms.

[Cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy : Epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment options]

Symptomatic arrhythmias rarely occur during pregnancy and are predominantly benign. However, the increasing average age of women who are pregnant, especially in Western European countries, has contributed to a significant increase in arrhythmias in pregnant women in recent years. Previous or existing heart diseases can increase the occurrence of arrhythmias. In most cases pregnancy is safe and without consequences for the child and/or mother. Further cardiological work-up (including ECG and echocardiography, and possibly cardiac MRI) should always be performed. The indication for treatment should be made in close cooperation between obstetricians and cardiologists considering symptoms, hemodynamics and prognosis. In the absence of larger studies on efficacy and side effects of antiarrhythmic drugs, these should be administered very cautiously, under strict indication and whenever possible by avoiding the first trimester. Cardiologists with special expertise in arrhythmias should always be consulted, especially in the case of complex and relevant rhythm disturbances.

Preeclampsia Emerging as a Risk Factor of Cardiovascular Disease in Women

The objective of this literature review was to explore the long-term cardiovascular effects of preeclampsia in women. The primary goal was to determine which organs were most commonly affected in this population. Although it was previously believed that preeclampsia is cured after the delivery of the fetus and the placenta current evidence supports an association between preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease later in life, many years after the manifestation of this hypertensive pregnancy related disorder. Therefore preeclampsia may be emerging as a novel cardiovascular risk factor for women, which requires long-term follow up.

General management of pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with adult congenital heart disease

Over the past 15 years there have been significant improvements in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension due to congenital heart disease. Patients now live for several decades, but morbidity and mortality remain high. This article describes the holistic management of this patient group with an emphasis on both the physical and psychosocial aspects of care, taking into account the consequences of chronic cyanosis, avoiding complications and improving quality of life.

Blood pressure trajectories during pregnancy and associations with adverse birth outcomes among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women in South Africa: a group-based trajectory modelling approach

BACKGROUND

High blood pressure (BP) late in pregnancy is associated with preterm delivery (PTD); BP has also been associated with HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART), but whether the relationship between BP assessed longitudinally over pregnancy and PTD and low birthweight (LBW) is modified by HIV/ART is unclear. We hypothesise the presence of distinctive BP trajectories and their association with adverse birth outcomes may be mediated by HIV/ART status.

METHODS

We recruited pregnant women at a large primary care facility in Cape Town. BP was measured throughout pregnancy using automated monitors. Group-based trajectory modelling in women with ≥3 BP measurements identified distinct joint systolic and diastolic BP trajectory groups. Multinomial regression assessed BP trajectory group associations with HIV/ART status, and Poisson regression with robust error variance was used to assess risk of PTD and LBW.

RESULTS

Of the 1583 women in this analysis, 37% were HIV-infected. Seven joint trajectory group combinations were identified, which were categorised as normal (50%), low normal (25%), high normal (20%), and abnormal (5%). A higher proportion of women in the low normal group were HIV-infected than HIV-uninfected (28% vs. 23%), however differences were not statistically significant (RR 1.27, 95% CI 0.98-1.63, reference category: normal). In multivariable analyses, low normal trajectory (aRR0.59, 0.41-0.85) was associated with decreased risk of PTD, while high normal (aRR1.48, 1.12-1.95) and abnormal trajectories (aRR3.18, 2.32-4.37) were associated with increased risk of PTD, and abnormal with increased risk of LBW (RR2.81, 1.90-4.15).

CONCLUSIONS

While HIV/ART did not appear to mediate the BP trajectories and adverse birth outcomes association, they did provide more detailed insights into the relationship between BP, PTD and LBW for HIV-infected and uninfected women.

Cardiovascular Diseases in Women: Policies and Practices Around the Globe to Achieve Gender Equity in Cardiac Health

The women's global health agenda has recently been reformulated to address more accurately cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The aim of the present work was to review the global and national policies and practices that address sex equality in health with a focus on CVDs in women. Scientific databases and health organizations' websites that presented/discussed policies and initiative targeting to enhance a sex-centered approach regarding general health and/or specifically cardiac health care were reviewed in a systematic way. In total, 61 relevant documents were selected. The selected policies and initiatives included position statements, national action plans, evidence-based guidelines, guidance/recommendations, awareness campaigns, regulations/legislation, and state-of-the art reports by national/international projects and conferences. The target audiences of large stakeholders (eg, American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) were female citizens, health professionals, and researchers. Much as policy-makers have recognized the sex/gender gap in the CVD field, there is still much to be done. Thereby, tailor-made strategies should be designed, evaluated, and delivered on a global and most importantly a national basis to achieve gender equity with regard to CVDs.

Atherosclerotic diseases and lung cancer - a ten-year cross-sectional study in Cyprus

Introduction

The main purpose of this work is to study atherosclerotic diseases and lung cancer in Cyprus during the period 2007–2017 with the aim of finding not only the atherosclerotic diseases with the highest risk but also a possible association between these diseases and lung cancer.

Material and methods

The statistical methods used to extract the results of this work are Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), in order to check the statistical significance of atherosclerotic diseases with regard to the characteristics of the patients. Additionally, a multiple logistic regression analysis was used with the aim of finding the disease with the highest risk. Pearson’s r was used to find a possible association between atherosclerotic diseases and lung cancer.

Results

As specified by multiple logistic regression analysis, the atherosclerotic diseases with the highest risk of death are intracranial haemorrhage (OR = 17.3), heart failure (OR = 3.29), and stroke (OR = 3.02), with females having higher risk compared to men. Moreover, a statistically significant relation was found between heart failure and cerebral infarction with lung cancer.

Conclusions

The results of this work highlight the statistically significant characteristics of patients with atherosclerotic diseases and identify the risk of death according to the type of the disease. A link between these diseases and cancer was also identified.

Assessing Cardiac Risk in Pregnant Women With Heart Disease: How Risk Scores Are Created and Their Role in Clinical Practice

Pregnancy, which is associated with profound cardiovascular changes and higher risk of thrombosis, increases the risk of cardiovascular complications in women with pre-existing heart disease. A comprehensive history and physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and transthoracic echocardiogram remain the foundation of assessing cardiac risk during pregnancy in women with heart disease. These are often combined to generate risk scores, which are statistically derived. Several statistically derived risk and 1 lesion-specific classification system are currently available. A suggested clinical approach to risk stratification is first to identify pregnancies in women with cardiac lesions at risk for serious or life-threatening maternal cardiac complications and for the remainder to use the Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy II (CARPREG II) risk score, integrating additional lesion-specific and patient-specific information. Conversely, clinicians can use the modified World Health Organization (mWHO) risk classification system and integrate general risk predictors and patient-specific information. Importantly, cardiac-risk assessment should always incorporate clinical judgement in addition to the use of risk scores or risk-classification systems. As pregnant women with heart disease are also at risk for obstetric and fetoneonatal complications, risk assessment should be performed by a multidisciplinary team, preferably before conception, or as soon as conception is confirmed, and repeated at regular intervals during the course of pregnancy.

The Use of Echocardiography and Advanced Cardiac Ultrasonography During Pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pregnancy is a time of significant cardiovascular change. Echocardiography is the primary imaging modality used to assess cardiovascular anatomy and physiology during pregnancy. Both two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and advanced cardiac ultrasound modalities play pivotal roles in identifying and monitoring these changes, especially in women with preexisting or new cardiac disease. This paper reviews the role of echocardiography and advanced cardiac ultrasound during normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by hypertensive disorders, valvular disorders, and cardiomyopathy. It also examines the role of echocardiography in guiding decisions about delivery.

RECENT FINDINGS

The data establishing normal echo parameters during pregnancy are inconsistent. In addition, there is limited research exploring the role of advanced cardiac ultrasound modalities, such as tissue Doppler imaging or speckle tracking echocardiography, in assessing cardiac function during pregnancy. What data there are suggest that these advanced modalities can be used to identify subclinical changes before traditional echocardiography can, and thus have clear utility in identifying early abnormal cardiac responses to pregnancy. Echocardiography is the modality of choice for imaging the heart in pregnant women. Advanced ultrasound modalities increasingly play a role in identifying abnormal adaptations to pregnancy and detecting subclinical changes. This, in turn, can help promote a healthy pregnancy for both mother and fetus.

Estimated blood loss in pregnant women with cardiac disease compared with low risk women: a restrospective cohort study

Background

Women with cardiac disease are thought to be at increased risk of post-partum haemorrhage. We sought to assess the estimated blood loss (EBL) in our cohort of women with and without cardiac disease (CD) in a quaternary hospital in the UK. Our population consisted of both congenital and acquired CD; and low risk women who delivered in our unit between 01/01/2012–30/09/2016.

Methods

Data were collected using computerised hospital records. CD was classified according to the modified WHO classification (mWHO). The primary outcome measure was estimated blood loss (mL).

Results

A total of 5413 women with a singleton fetus in the cephalic presentation delivered during the study period (159 women with CD and 5254 controls). In the CD group, active management of the third stage of labour was consistent with that used in low risk women in 98% (152/155) of cases. Multivariable analyses demonstrated no significant difference in EBL between women with CD vs controls. The adjusted average blood losses were 247.2 ml, 241.8 ml and 295.9 ml in the control group, mWHO 1–2 and 3–4, respectively (p = 0.165).

Conclusions

Women with CD have comparable EBL to low risk women when management of the active third stage of labour is the same.

Postpartum Cardiogenic Shock Diagnosed by Focused Cardiac Ultrasound and Treated With Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report

We present the case of a primigravid patient, who developed cardiogenic shock during the early postpartum period in the setting of retained placenta, uterine atony, and hemorrhage. Focused cardiac ultrasound played a central role in identifying the cause of hemodynamic instability. The decision to initiate venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was instrumental in the successful outcome for our patient, characterized by a full recovery without major neurological and cardiovascular sequelae.

2018 Korean society of hypertension guidelines for the management of hypertension: part III-hypertension in special situations

Treatment of hypertension improves cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular outcomes. However, the benefit of treatment may be different according to the patients' characteristics. Additionally, the target blood pressure or initial drug choice should be customized according to the special conditions of the hypertensive patients. In this part III, we reviewed previous data and presented recommendations for some special populations such as diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, elderly people, and cardio-cerebrovascular disease.

[Update of the ESC guidelines 2018 on cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy : Most important facts]

Heart diseases are the most common cause of maternal death during pregnancy in Western countries. The current ESC guidelines 2018 for the management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy is a guide for any physician facing the challenge of caring for pregnant women with cardiovascular diseases. Among the new concepts compared to 2011, are recommendations to classify maternal risk due to the modified World Health Organization (mWHO) classification, introduction of the pregnancy heart team, guidance on assisted reproductive therapy, specific recommendations on anticoagulation for low-dose and high-dose requirements of vitamin K antagonists and the potential use of bromocriptine in peripartum cardiomyopathy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categories A-D and X should no longer be used. Therefore, the table of drugs was completed with detailed information from animal and human studies on maternal and fetal risks. The new findings on specific heart diseases are presented in detail in the respective chapters.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease that occurs toward the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery in previously heart-healthy women. The incidence varies widely depending on geographical region and ethnic background, with an estimated number of 1 in 1000–1500 pregnancies in Germany. The course of the disease ranges from mild forms with minor symptoms to severe forms with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock. The understanding of the etiology of PPCM has evolved in recent years. An oxidative stress-mediated cleaved 16-kDa fragment of the nursing hormone prolactin is thought to damage endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. Bromocriptine, a dopamine-receptor agonist, effectively blocks prolactin release from the pituitary gland. In addition to standard heart failure therapy, this disease-specific treatment reduces morbidity and mortality in PPCM patients. This review summarizes the current knowledge on PPCM and the disease-specific treatment options.

Pulmonary Hypertension During Pregnancy in New York State, 2003-2014

Objectives This study examined the prevalence and temporal trends in (a) pulmonary hypertension (PH) during pregnancy and (b) mortality and morbidity during pregnancy with and without PH. Methods This was a retrospective observational study of the 2003-2014 New York State Inpatient Database. PH was categorized as primary or secondary and pregnancy as loss or termination of pregnancy, preterm birth, or term birth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of maternal morbidity was used, including 17 diagnoses and 5 procedures. Changes were assessed using Cochran-Armitage trend tests. Results Of 2,940,868 pregnancy-related discharges, 746 indicated a diagnosis of PH (25/100,000; 95% CI 24-27). PH was secondary in 677/746 (91%) discharges and 488/746 were term births (65%). Prevalence of secondary PH increased from 17 to 30/100,000 between 2003- 2004 and 2013-2014 (+ 69%; P < 0.001), with an increase in the prevalence of heart valve disease, obesity, and systemic hypertension. Primary PH decreased 81% (P = 0.002). Term-birth PH discharges increased from 13 to 22/100,000 between 2003-2004 and 2013-2014 (+ 66%; P = 0.003), without change in preterm births and loss or termination of pregnancies. No change in morbidity in PH discharges was observed between 2003-2004 and 2013-2014, contrasting with a 64% increase in discharges without PH. Conclusions for Practice Prevalence of secondary PH during pregnancy markedly increased since 2003, underscoring the importance of screening for PH, especially in women with heart valve disease, obesity, or systemic hypertension.

Does gender affect the prognosis and risk of complications in patients with congenital heart disease in the modern era?

Gender differences in the outcome of acquired cardiovascular disease are well known, but available literature on the influence of gender in congenital heart disease (CHD) is limited. Registries have provided valuable, albeit at times conflicting data. Higher mortality rates have been reported in older males with CHD, while sudden cardiac death is more prevalent in young males. However, mortality around surgery for CHD is higher in girls compared to boys, likely due to smaller body size. Women are at higher risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension, but at lower risk of adverse aortic outcomes, even though they are less likely to receive aortic surgery. Finally, women have a lower risk of presenting with infective endocarditis compared to men. The underlying reasons for gender differences in CHD can be attributed to genetic, hormonal, behavioural and other causes. The aim of the present paper is to provide an overview of available evidence on gender differences in CHD and their impact on outcome.

Association of Adult Congenital Heart Disease With Pregnancy, Maternal, and Neonatal Outcomes

IMPORTANCE

With the help of medical advances, more women with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) are becoming pregnant. Adverse maternal, obstetric, and neonatal events occur more frequently in women with ACHD than in the general obstetric population. Adult congenital heart disease is heterogeneous, yet few studies have assessed whether maternal and neonatal outcomes differ across ACHD subtypes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association of ACHD and its subtypes with pregnancy, maternal, and neonatal outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cross-sectional study used data from the Discharge Abstract Database, which contains information on all hospitalizations in Canada (except Quebec) from fiscal years 2001-2002 through 2014-2015. Discharge Abstract Database information was linked with maternal and infant hospital records across Canada. All women who gave birth in hospitals during the study period were included in the study. Data were analyzed from December 18, 2017, to March 22, 2019.

EXPOSURES

Women with ACHD were identified using diagnostic and procedural codes. Subtypes of ACHD were classified using the Anatomic and Clinical Classification of Congenital Heart Defects scheme.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Primary outcomes were defined a priori and included severe maternal morbidity (measured using the Maternal Morbidity Outcomes Indicator), neonatal morbidity and mortality (measured using the Neonatal Adverse Outcomes Indicator), ischemic placental disease, preterm birth, congenital anomalies, and small-for-gestational-age births. Absolute and relative rates of each outcome were calculated overall and by ACHD subtype. Logistic regression using generalized estimating equations assessed crude and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for each outcome in women with ACHD compared with women without ACHD after adjustment for comorbidities, mode of delivery, and study year.

RESULTS

The 2114 women with ACHD included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 29.4 [5.7] years) had significantly higher odds of maternal morbidity (aOR, 2.7; 95% CI, 2.2-3.4) and neonatal morbidity and mortality (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.6-2.1) compared with women without ACHD (n = 2 682 451). Substantial variation was observed between women with different subtypes of ACHD. For example, the aORs of preterm birth (<37 weeks) varied from 0.4 (95% CI, 0.4-0.5) for women with anomalies of atrioventricular junctions and valves to 4.7 (95% CI, 2.9-7.5) for women with complex anomalies of atrioventricular connections.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These results suggest that women with different subtypes of ACHD are not uniformly at risk for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Although some women with ACHD can potentially expect healthy pregnancies, it appears that clinical care should be modified to address the heightened risks of certain ACHD subtypes.

Levels of Evidence Supporting American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology Guidelines, 2008-2018

Importance

Clinical decisions are ideally based on evidence generated from multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating clinical outcomes, but historically, few clinical guideline recommendations have been based entirely on this type of evidence.

Objective

To determine the class and level of evidence (LOE) supporting current major cardiovascular society guideline recommendations, and changes in LOE over time.

Data Sources

Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) clinical guideline documents (2008-2018), as identified on cardiovascular society websites, and immediate predecessors to these guideline documents (1999-2014), as referenced in current guideline documents.

Study Selection

Comprehensive guideline documents including recommendations organized by class and LOE.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The number of recommendations and the distribution of LOE (A [supported by data from multiple RCTs or a single, large RCT], B [supported by data from observational studies or a single RCT], and C [supported by expert opinion only]) were determined for each guideline document.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The proportion of guideline recommendations supported by evidence from multiple RCTs (LOE A).

Results

Across 26 current ACC/AHA guidelines (2930 recommendations; median, 121 recommendations per guideline [25th-75th percentiles, 76-155]), 248 recommendations (8.5%) were classified as LOE A, 1465 (50.0%) as LOE B, and 1217 (41.5%) as LOE C. The median proportion of LOE A recommendations was 7.9% (25th-75th percentiles, 0.9%-15.2%). Across 25 current ESC guideline documents (3399 recommendations; median, 130 recommendations per guideline [25th-75th percentiles, 111-154]), 484 recommendations (14.2%) were classified as LOE A, 1053 (31.0%) as LOE B, and 1862 (54.8%) as LOE C. When comparing current guidelines with prior versions, the proportion of recommendations that were LOE A did not increase in either ACC/AHA (median, 9.0% [current] vs 11.7% [prior]) or ESC guidelines (median, 15.1% [current] vs 17.6% [prior]).

Conclusions and Relevance

Among recommendations in major cardiovascular society guidelines, only a small percentage were supported by evidence from multiple RCTs or a single, large RCT. This pattern does not appear to have meaningfully improved from 2008 to 2018.

An Innovative Mobile Health System to Improve and Standardize Antenatal Care Among Underserved Communities: A Feasibility Study in an Italian Hosting Center for Asylum Seekers

Innovative migrant-friendly tools are needed to assist health personnel manage the high number of pregnancies within reception centers. This study tests functionality and acceptability of a new mHealth system in providing antenatal care amongst migrants. The study, carried out between 2014 and 2016, involved 150 pregnant women residing in the largest European migrant reception center in Sicily. A ticket tracking system assessed the system's functionality and a questionnaire assessed women's acceptability. The system facilitated the collection of clinical data, enabling the creation of electronic patient records and identifying 10% of pregnancies as high-risk. The application's digital format increased health providers' adherence to antenatal-care recommendations, while the graphic interface facilitated women's engagement and retention of the health education modules. The study recorded a 91.9% patient satisfaction rate. The system was efficient in providing comprehensive and high-quality antenatal care amongst migrants, facilitating the continuity of care for a population undergoing frequent relocations.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy-diagnosis, management, and long term implications

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a potentially life-threatening pregnancy-associated disease that typically arises in the peripartum period. While the disease is relatively uncommon, its incidence is rising. It is a form of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, defined as pregnancy-related left ventricular dysfunction, diagnosed either towards the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery, in women without any other identifiable cause. The clinical presentation, diagnostic assessment and treatment usually mirror that of other forms of cardiomyopathy. Timing of delivery and management require a multidisciplinary approach and individualization. Subsequent pregnancies generally carry risk, but individualization is required depending on the pre-pregnancy left ventricular function. Recovery occurs in most women on standard medical therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, more frequently than in other forms of nonischemic cardiomyopathy. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge with regard to diagnosis, treatment and management, with a focus on long term implications.

Pregnancy Among Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Cardiovascular Considerations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To educate clinicians on cardiovascular considerations and management strategies surrounding pregnancy in childhood cancer survivors.

RECENT FINDINGS

With advances in oncologic treatment, growing numbers of childhood cancer survivors are now able to consider pregnancy. A significant proportion of survivors have received cardiotoxic therapy, particularly anthracyclines, and/or chest radiation. Cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiac complication of cancer-directed therapy; pericardial disease, valvular disease, premature coronary artery disease, and conduction abnormalities are other potential sequelae. In female survivors of childhood malignancy, cardiac evaluation should be performed prior to pregnancy as subclinical disease has the potential to be unmasked by the hemodynamic stress of pregnancy. However, limited data exist on pregnancy outcomes after cancer survivorship. With appropriate management, maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancy following childhood cancer are generally favorable. Further research is needed to understand the incidence of cardiac complications among childhood cancer survivors, strategies to prevent these complications, optimal cardiovascular management during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and on the impact of pregnancy itself on the natural history of treatment-related cardiotoxicity.

Pregnancy-Associated Myocardial Infarction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To educate clinicians about the epidemiology, etiologies, diagnosis, and management of pregnancy-associated myocardial infarction (PAMI).

RECENT FINDINGS

The risk of myocardial infarction is increased more than threefold around the time of pregnancy. In the recent series, PAMI is most commonly caused by spontaneous coronary artery dissection, followed by atherosclerosis. Percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting may be required, but conservative management with medical therapy is generally advised when possible, particularly in cases of coronary dissection. Labor and delivery in women with PAMI warrants advanced planning by a multidisciplinary team involving obstetrics, anesthesia, and cardiology. Women with myocardial infarction should be referred to cardiac rehabilitation. Pregnancy-associated myocardial infarction is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Management should be tailored based on the underlying etiology and on whether the patient is still pregnant or postpartum. Further research is needed to define optimal evaluation and management of this condition.

Resistant Hypertension in Pregnancy: How to Manage?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The concept of resistant hypertension may be changed during pregnancy by the physiological hemodynamic changes and the particularities of therapy choices in this period. This review discusses the management of pregnant patients with preexisting resistant hypertension and also of those who develop severe hypertension in gestation and puerperium.

RECENT FINDINGS

The main cause of severe hypertension in pregnancy is preeclampsia, and differential diagnosis must be done with secondary or primary hypertension. Women with preexisting resistant hypertension may need pharmacological therapy adjustment. Several drugs can be used to treat severe hypertension, with exception of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. The most used drugs are methyldopa, beta-blockers, and calcium channel antagonists. There is a general agreement that severe hypertension must be treated, but there are still debates over the goals of the treatment. Delivery is indicated in viable pregnancies in which blood pressure control is not achieved with three drugs in full doses. Resistant hypertension may arise in postpartum. The management of resistant hypertension in pregnancy must regard the possible etiology, the fetal well-being, and the mother's risk. Good care is mandatory to reduce maternal mortality risk.

Preconception Counseling for Patients With Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Acute aortic dissection is a potentially catastrophic cardiovascular emergency that is associated with a high mortality rate. Pregnancy, with its attendant hormonal and physiological changes, increases the risk of dissection in women with known thoracic aortic aneurysms. In this review, we highlight the importance of preconception counseling to help women with known thoracic aortic aneurysms better understand their risk of dissection and the heritable nature of thoracic aortic disease and its associated syndromes.

RECENT FINDINGS

The risk of aortic dissection during pregnancy differs according to the underlying etiology of thoracic aortic aneurysm and the degree of aortic dilatation at baseline. Guideline-specific management of women with thoracic aortic aneurysms in pregnancy reduces their risk of dissection. Management of pregnant women with thoracic aortic aneurysms requires an intensive multidisciplinary approach to maximize the chances of a successful outcome for both the mother and fetus. Preconception counseling provides an opportunity to optimize patients medically and to consider potential prophylactic aortic repair prior to pregnancy.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Current State of the Science: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has emerged as an important cause of acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, and sudden death, particularly among young women and individuals with few conventional atherosclerotic risk factors. Patient-initiated research has spurred increased awareness of SCAD, and improved diagnostic capabilities and findings from large case series have led to changes in approaches to initial and long-term management and increasing evidence that SCAD not only is more common than previously believed but also must be evaluated and treated differently from atherosclerotic myocardial infarction. High rates of recurrent SCAD; its association with female sex, pregnancy, and physical and emotional stress triggers; and concurrent systemic arteriopathies, particularly fibromuscular dysplasia, highlight the differences in clinical characteristics of SCAD compared with atherosclerotic disease. Recent insights into the causes of, clinical course of, treatment options for, outcomes of, and associated conditions of SCAD and the many persistent knowledge gaps are presented.

Valvular Heart Disease and Pregnancy

With improving reproductive assistive technologies, advancing maternal age, and improved survival of patients with congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease has become an important cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. In general, stenotic lesions, even those in the moderate range, are poorly tolerated in the face of hemodynamic changes of pregnancy. Regurgitant lesions, however, fare better due to the physiologic afterload reduction that occurs. Intervention on regurgitant valve preconception follows the same principles as a non-pregnant population. Prosthetic valves in pregnancy are increasingly commonplace, presenting new management challenges including valve deterioration and valve thrombosis. In particular, anticoagulation during pregnancy is challenging. Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state and the risks of maternal bleeding and fetal anticoagulant risks need to be balanced. Maternal mortality and complications are lowest with warfarin use throughout pregnancy; however, fetal outcomes are best with low molecular weight heparin use. ACC/AHA guidelines recommend warfarin use, even in the first trimester, if doses are less than 5 mg/day; however, adverse fetal events are not zero at this dose. In addition, it is unclear if better monitoring of low molecular weight heparin with peak and trough anti-Xa levels would lower maternal risks as this has been inconsistently monitored in reported studies. Fortunately, with the emergence of newer data, our understanding of anticoagulant strategies in pregnancy is improving over time which should translate to better pregnancy outcomes in this higher risk population.

Mitochondria and Sex-Specific Cardiac Function

The focus of this chapter is the gender differences in mitochondria in cardiovascular disease. There is broad evidence suggesting that some of the gender differences in cardiovascular outcome may be partially related to differences in mitochondrial biology (Ventura-Clapier R, Moulin M, Piquereau J, Lemaire C, Mericskay M, Veksler V, Garnier A, Clin Sci (Lond) 131(9):803-822, 2017)). Mitochondrial disorders are causally affected by mutations in either nuclear or mitochondrial genes involved in the synthesis of respiratory chain subunits or in their posttranslational control. This can be due to mutations of the mtDNA which are transmitted by the mother or mutations in the nuclear DNA. Because natural selection on mitochondria operates only in females, mutations may have had more deleterious effects in males than in females (Ventura-Clapier R, Moulin M, Piquereau J, Lemaire C, Mericskay M, Veksler V, Garnier A, Clin Sci (Lond) 131(9):803-822, 2017; Camara AK, Lesnefsky EJ, Stowe DF. Antioxid Redox Signal 13(3):279-347, 2010). As mitochondrial mutations can affect all tissues, they are responsible for a large panel of pathologies including neuromuscular disorders, encephalopathies, metabolic disorders, cardiomyopathies, neuropathies, renal dysfunction, etc. Many of these pathologies present sex/gender specificity. Thus, alleviating or preventing mitochondrial dysfunction will contribute to mitigating the severity or progression of the development of diseases. Here, we present evidence for the involvement of mitochondria in the sex specificity of cardiovascular disorders.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease with Pregnancy

The number of women with congenital heart disease (CHD) at risk of pregnancy is growing because over 90% of them are grown-up into adulthood. The outcome of pregnancy and delivery is favorable in most of them provided that functional class and systemic ventricular function are good. Women with CHD such as pulmonary hypertension (Eisenmenger syndrome), severe left ventricular outflow stenosis, cyanotic CHD, aortopathy, Fontan procedure and systemic right ventricle (complete transposition of the great arteries [TGA] after atrial switch, congenitally corrected TGA) carry a high-risk. Most frequent complications during pregnancy and delivery are heart failure, arrhythmias, bleeding or thrombosis, and rarely maternal death. Complications of fetus are prematurity, low birth weight, abortion, and stillbirth. Risk stratification of pregnancy and delivery relates to functional status of the patient and is lesion specific. Medication during pregnancy and post-delivery (breast feeding) is a big concern. Especially prescribing medication with teratogenicity should be avoidable. Adequate care during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period requires a multidisciplinary team approach with cardiologists, obstetricians, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, nurses and other related disciplines. Caring for a baby is an important issue due to temporarily pregnancy-induced cardiac dysfunction, and therefore familial support is mandatory especially during peripartum and after delivery. Timely pre-pregnancy counseling should be offered to all women with CHD to prevent avoidable pregnancy-related risks. Successful pregnancy is feasible for most women with CHD at relatively low risk when appropriate counseling and optimal care are provided.

Unsettled Issues and Future Directions for Research on Cardiovascular Diseases in Women

Biological sex (being female or male) significantly influences the course of disease. This simple fact must be considered in all cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy. However, major gaps in knowledge about and awareness of cardiovascular disease in women still impede the implementation of sex-specific strategies. Among the gaps are a lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of women-biased coronary artery disease syndromes (spasms, dissections, Takotsubo syndrome), sex differences in cardiomyopathies and heart failure, a higher prevalence of cardiomyopathies with sarcomeric mutations in men, a higher prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in women, and sex-specific disease mechanisms, as well as sex differences in sudden cardiac arrest and long QT syndrome. Basic research strategies must do more to include female-specific aspects of disease such as the genetic imbalance of 2 versus one X chromosome and the effects of sex hormones. Drug therapy in women also needs more attention. Furthermore, pregnancy-associated cardiovascular disease must be considered a potential risk factor in women, including pregnancy-related coronary artery dissection, preeclampsia, and peripartum cardiomyopathy. Finally, the sociocultural dimension of gender should be included in research efforts. The organization of gender medicine must be established as a cross-sectional discipline but also as a centered structure with its own research resources, methods, and questions.

Echocardiography in Pregnancy: Part 2

The prevalence of pregnant women with cardiovascular heart disease is increasing. Transthoracic echocardiography is safe during pregnancy, and it is an important diagnostic tool in pregnant women with established heart disease in order to monitor ventricular and valvular anatomy and function. In addition, it can be used to delineate cardiac anatomy in complex congenital heart disease and help stratify maternal risk during pregnancy. This review will focus on the use of echocardiography in the diagnosis and management of pregnant women with common congenital lesions and with prosthetic valves.

Heart Disease and Pregnancy

Cardiac disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant and post-partum women, although progress has been made, with specialist joint obstetric-cardiology clinics providing an integrated, safe and personalised service to these women. As a result, fewer non-specialist cardiologists are managing women in pregnancy with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this review is to provide a brief overview of current knowledge and practice in the field, with an emphasis on the major physiological changes which occur during pregnancy, focussing on progress through the trimesters, clinical assessment in pregnancy, management of delivery (concentrating on managed vaginal delivery), drug treatment, key conditions and risk assessment. The latter factor is particularly important in terms of being able to identify high-risk women earlier and to counsel them appropriately. Pregnant women with cardiovascular conditions can, with appropriate knowledge and counselling, be managed safely in specialist multidisciplinary services, but there is a need for cardiologists to understand the key changes and risks involved in pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period.

Impact of gender difference in hospital outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention. Results of the Belgian Working Group on Interventional Cardiology (BWGIC) registry

AIMS

To determine whether there are gender-based differences in in-hospital outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied a large cohort using clinical data from a registry of 130,985 PCI procedures in Belgium, from January 2006 to February 2011. Compared to males, females were significantly older (70.3 vs. 64.8 years), and were more frequently diabetic or hypertensive. Men smoked more and more frequently had previous myocardial infarction (MI), previous PCI or previous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was less severe in women, and PCI to the left anterior descending artery was more common in female patients. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality rates were higher in females versus males (2.5% for women and 1.6% for men, p<0.0001). After multivariable analysis, female gender remained an independent predictor of mortality (odds ratio 1.35, 95% CI: 1.22-1.49, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Gender-based differences in hospital mortality rates after PCI were observed in this large registry. Female sex remained an independent predictor of mortality after multivariable adjustment.