Rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Maternal and neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with cardiovascular disease in the Philippines: a retrospective cross-sectional study from 2015-2019

PURPOSE

Several studies link maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD) to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This study describes the profile of maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with CVD in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines. It identifies the clinical and sociodemographic variables associated with these outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-center, retrospective analysis of pregnant women admitted for delivery at the Philippine General Hospital from 2015 to 2019 was performed. Of these patients, pregnant women with CVD were identified as the cohort for this study. Data on clinical and sociodemographic factors, maternal major adverse cardiovascular events, neonatal adverse clinical events, and obstetric complications were collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the odds ratio for the risk factors for small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies and preterm birth.

RESULTS

Among 30,053 delivery admissions in the Philippine General Hospital from 2015 to 2019, 293 (0.98%) pregnant women had CVD. Of the CVDs present in this cohort, congenital heart diseases (n = 119, 40.6%) were the most common, followed by rheumatic heart disease (n = 109, 37.2%). Maternal adverse events were rarely observed. Four women experienced symptomatic arrhythmias, two presented with worsening heart failure, three experienced thromboembolic events, and one had cerebrovascular infarction. There was no reported maternal death, cardiac arrest, shock, or acute renal failure. The majority (69.3%) of the women included in the study were delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery and assisted vaginal delivery by vacuum or forceps; however, a significant portion of these women had undergone cesarean section. Almost all the study cohort delivered live births, with most neonates being delivered at 37-38 weeks gestational age (83.6%) and only 16.0% born preterm. However, a significant portion, a third of the neonates, were classified as having low birth weight. Around 17.4% of neonates born from gravidocardiac mothers were admitted neonatal intensive care unit. Conditions associated with preterm birth were low educational attainment, previous history of early neonatal death, maternal low ejection fraction, and abnormal maternal left ventricular geometry. The conditions associated with SGA babies were high gravidity and parity, a history of abortion/stillbirth, a history of previous cesarean section delivery, low ejection fraction, a history of multiple gestations, and higher BMI.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort study, adverse maternal outcomes were rarely observed. CVD in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and SGA babies. We identified certain maternal conditions and sociodemographic factors associated with these outcomes. Despite having CVD, our study cohort had no mortality from the pregnancy.

Adherence to secondary prevention of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in young people: an 11-year retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the secondary prevention of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the Townsville region, Australia.

METHODS

Adherence to benzathine benzylpenicillin G (BPG) was determined for 196 children and young adults aged under 22 years between January 2009 and December 2019, and factors associated with BPG adherence were analysed. Secondary outcomes included attendance at specialist reviews and echocardiograms.

RESULTS

Adequate adherence (80%) to regular BPG injections was met by 51.1% of the cohort. Adequate BPG adherence more likely occurred for those that attended the Paediatric Outreach Clinic (OR4.15, 95%CI:2.13-8.05) or a school delivery program (OR1.87, 95%CI:1.11-3.45). People with moderate/severe RHD had greater BPG adherence (OR1.76,95%CI:1.00-3.10). People in rural/remote areas were less likely to have adequate BPG adherence compared to urban counterparts (OR0.31, 95%CI:0.15-0.65). Adherence to echocardiography was 66% and specialist review attendance was 12.5-50%.

CONCLUSION

Half of the cohort in the Townsville region received adequate BPG prophylaxis to prevent ARF/RHD. Although rates were relatively higher than those reported in other Australian regions, health delivery goals should be close to 100%. Low attendance at specialist services was reported. Implication for public health: Delivery models with dedicated services, case management and family support could improve BPG adherence in individuals with ARF/RHD. Further resources in rural and remote areas are needed.

Maternal and fetal outcomes of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women with chronic rheumatic heart disease in a South Asian population: A case series

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes, particularly in developing countries. The current COVID-19 pandemic has also affected pregnant women, probably increasing the adverse effects. It is speculated that COVID-19 infection in pregnant women would further increase the risk of complications. However, factual data is still lacking, especially from resource-constrained countries. We conducted a case series of 20 pregnant women with RHD and COVID-19 infection and compared their outcomes with 40 with RHD but without COVDI-19. We observed a high risk of adverse cardiac and pregnancy effects across the whole cohort of 60 patients. However, the comparative study between the two groups failed to show any incremental risk of complications due to COVID-19 infection. Although the sample size was limited; the results are encouraging, particularly for developing countries.