Perioperative Management of an Obstetric Patient with Eisenmenger Syndrome and Pre-Eclampsia Using Milrinone.

ABSTRACT: Pregnancy in a patient with pulmonary hypertension carries a high risk of mortality. It poses multiple problems in the management of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, thereby emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary team for a successful outcome. We describe the successful management of a case of Eisenmenger syndrome who developed pre-eclampsia during her 28 weeks of pregnancy. As far as our knowledge, this is the first case report that describes the use of milrinone in a parturient for a successful outcome.

Overdose of angiotensin II receptor blocker in the third trimester of pregnancy: A case report.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are contraindicated during pregnancy because of fetal toxicity. All previous reports on adverse fetal outcomes involved women who continued to take low-dose ARBs for hypertension and were unaware of the adverse effects. Herein, we report the case of a 23-year-old pregnant woman in her third trimester who experienced an ARB overdose after an argument with her partner. Pregnancy was complicated by transient oligohydramnios, and fetal magnetic resonance imaging suggested renal failure. Despite these concerns, the newborn had no morphological abnormalities or abnormal neurological findings. Renal impairment improved over time, and the infant grew well. A single overdose of ARBs in the third trimester can lead to fetal renal failure, similar to long-term low-dose ARB administration; however, favorable outcomes are possible. An overdose of ARBs may transiently cause renal failure, which may improve. The study findings may inform counseling for women who are unexpectedly exposed to an overdose of ARBs.

Antihypertensive utilization patterns among pregnant persons with pre-existing hypertension in the US: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension among persons with childbearing potential is on the rise. Maintaining proper blood pressure during pregnancy is vital to prevent maternal and neonatal complications. Yet, limited evidence on the risk-benefit of various antihypertensives presents challenges for informed decision-making during this critical period. This study aimed to examine the utilization patterns of different classes of antihypertensives among persons with pre-existing hypertension before, during, and after pregnancy. METHODS: We used MarketScan® Commercial Database 2011-2020 to analyze antihypertensive utilization among pregnant persons aged 12 to 55 identified via a validated algorithm. Pre-existing hypertension was defined as ≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient encounters for hypertension within the 180 days preceding the LMP. Antihypertensive utilization was described during target periods: 0-3 months (0-3M) before pregnancy, 1st/2nd/3rd trimester (T1/2/3), 0-3M, and 4-6M after pregnancy. RESULTS: We identified 1,950,292 pregnancies, of which 20,576 (12,978 live and 7,598 non-live) had pre-existing hypertension. Both groups had similar antihypertensive use (80.1% and 81.0%, respectively) during the 6 months before pregnancy (baseline). For live-birth pregnancies, 13.9% of baseline users discontinued treatment during pregnancy, while 28.9% of non-users initiated antihypertensives during pregnancy, and 17.2% started postpartum. Before pregnancy, the predominant antihypertensives included thiazide diuretics (21.9%), combined α- and ß-blockers (18.4%), and dihydropyridines (16.2%). During pregnancy, thiazide diuretics, cardioselective ß-blockers, and ACE inhibitors declined (T3: 3.0%, 4.2%, and 0.8%). Dihydropyridine use was steady during pregnancy, but preference shifted from amlodipine to nifedipine in T3 (2.2.% vs.10.8%). Central α2-agonists increased during pregnancy (up to 15.2% in T3) compared to both pre- (9.8%) and post-pregnancy (5.7%). ARBs mirrored ACE inhibitors, with less than 1% utilization in later trimesters. Combination agents dropped from 10.8% pre-pregnancy to 0.8% in T3, then rebounded to 7.3% post-pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Research is warranted to evaluate the choice of antihypertensives and optimal timing to switch to safer alternatives, considering maternal and fetal outcomes.

Pregnancy Outcomes of Nifedipine Compared With Labetalol for Oral Treatment of Mild Chronic Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes by type of antihypertensive used in participants of the CHAP (Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy) trial. METHODS: We conducted a planned secondary analysis of CHAP, an open-label, multicenter, randomized trial of antihypertensive treatment compared with standard care (no treatment unless severe hypertension developed) in pregnant patients with mild chronic hypertension (blood pressure 140-159/90-104 mm Hg before 20 weeks of gestation) and singleton pregnancies. We performed three comparisons based on medications prescribed at enrollment: labetalol compared with standard care, nifedipine compared with standard care, and labetalol compared with nifedipine. Although active compared with standard care groups were randomized, medication assignment within the active treatment group was not random but based on clinician or patient preference. The primary outcome was the occurrence of superimposed preeclampsia with severe features, preterm birth before 35 weeks of gestation, placental abruption, or fetal or neonatal death. The key secondary outcome was small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. We also compared medication adverse effects between groups. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs were estimated with log binomial regression to adjust for confounding. RESULTS: Of 2,292 participants analyzed, 720 (31.4%) received labetalol, 417 (18.2%) received nifedipine, and 1,155 (50.4%) received no treatment. The mean gestational age at enrollment was 10.5±3.7 weeks; nearly half of participants (47.5%) identified as non-Hispanic Black; and 44.5% used aspirin. The primary outcome occurred in 217 (30.1%), 130 (31.2%), and 427 (37.0%) in the labetalol, nifedipine, and standard care groups, respectively. Risk of the primary outcome was lower among those receiving treatment (labetalol use vs standard adjusted RR 0.82, 95% CI, 0.72-0.94; nifedipine use vs standard adjusted RR 0.84, 95% CI, 0.71-0.99), but there was no significant difference in risk when labetalol was compared with nifedipine (adjusted RR 0.98, 95% CI, 0.82-1.18). There were no significant differences in SGA or serious adverse events between participants receiving labetalol and those receiving nifedipine. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in predetermined maternal or neonatal outcomes were detected on the basis of the use of labetalol or nifedipine for treatment of chronic hypertension in pregnancy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02299414.

Chronic Hypertension During Pregnancy: Prevalence and Treatment in the United States, 2008-2021.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of chronic hypertension during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. In this study, we examined the prevalence and treatment of chronic hypertension during pregnancy and assessed changes in these outcomes following the release of the updated 2017 hypertension guidelines of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association. METHODS: We analyzed the MerativeTM Marketscan® Research Database of United States commercial insurance claims from 2007 to 2021. We assessed the prevalence of chronic hypertension during pregnancy and oral antihypertensive medication use over time. We then performed interrupted time series analyses to evaluate changes in these outcomes. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic hypertension steadily increased from 1.8% to 3.7% among 1 900 196 pregnancies between 2008 and 2021. Antihypertensive medication use among pregnant individuals with chronic hypertension was relatively stable (57%-60%) over the study period. The proportion of pregnant individuals with chronic hypertension treated with methyldopa or hydrochlorothiazide decreased (from 29% to 2% and from 11% to 5%, respectively), while the proportion treated with labetalol or nifedipine increased (from 19% to 42% and from 9% to 17%, respectively). The prevalence or treatment of chronic hypertension during pregnancy did not change following the 2017 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association hypertension guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of chronic hypertension during pregnancy doubled between 2008 and 2021 in a nationwide cohort of individuals with commercial insurance. Labetalol replaced methyldopa as the most commonly used antihypertensive during pregnancy. However, only about 60% of individuals with chronic hypertension in pregnancy were treated with antihypertensive medications.

Diuretics in pregnancy: Data from the ESC Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac disease (ROPAC).

AIMS: Data on diuretic use in pregnancy are limited and inconsistent, and consequently it remains unclear whether they can be used safely. Our study aims to evaluate the perinatal outcomes after in-utero diuretic exposure. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Registry Of Pregnancy And Cardiac disease (ROPAC) is a prospective, global registry of pregnancies in women with heart disease. Outcomes were compared between women who used diuretics during pregnancy versus those who did not. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess the impact of diuretic use on the occurrence of congenital anomalies and foetal growth. Diuretics were used in 382 (6.7%) of the 5739 ROPAC pregnancies, most often furosemide (86%). Age >35 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.0), other cardiac medication use (OR 5.4, 95% CI 4.2-6.9), signs of heart failure (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.2), estimated left ventricular ejection fraction <40% (OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.0-4.2), New York Heart Association class >II (OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.3-5.1), valvular heart disease (OR 6.3, 95% CI 4.7-8.3) and cardiomyopathy (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.6-5.7) were associated with diuretic use during pregnancy. In multivariable analysis, diuretic use during the first trimester was not significantly associated with foetal or neonatal congenital anomalies (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.7-2.6), and diuretic use during pregnancy was also not significantly associated with small for gestational age (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0-1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Our study does not conclusively establish an association between diuretic use during pregnancy and adverse foetal outcomes. Given these findings, it is essential to assess the risk-benefit ratio on an individual basis to guide clinical decisions.

Perinatal outcomes after in-utero exposure to beta-blockers in women with heart disease: Data from the ESC EORP registry of pregnancy and cardiac disease (ROPAC).

BACKGROUND: Beta-blockers are commonly used drugs during pregnancy, especially in women with heart disease, and are regarded as relatively safe although evidence is sparse. Differences between beta-blockers are not well-studied. METHODS: In the Registry of Pregnancy And Cardiac disease (ROPAC, n = 5739), a prospective global registry of pregnancies in women with structural heart disease, perinatal outcomes (small for gestational age (SGA), birth weight, neonatal congenital heart disease (nCHD) and perinatal mortality) were compared between women with and without beta-blocker exposure, and between different beta-blockers. Multivariable regression analysis was used for the effect of beta-blockers on birth weight, SGA and nCHD (after adjustment for maternal and perinatal confounders). RESULTS: Beta-blockers were used in 875 (15.2%) ROPAC pregnancies, with metoprolol (n = 323, 37%) and bisoprolol (n = 261, 30%) being the most frequent. Women with beta-blocker exposure had more SGA infants (15.3% vs 9.3%, p < 0.001) and nCHD (4.7% vs 2.7%, p = 0.001). Perinatal mortality rates were not different (1.4% vs 1.9%, p = 0.272). The adjusted mean difference in birth weight was -177 g (-5.8%), the adjusted OR for SGA was 1.7 (95% CI 1.3-2.1) and for nCHD 2.3 (1.6-3.5). With metoprolol as reference, labetalol (0.2, 0.1-0.4) was the least likely to cause SGA, and atenolol (2.3, 1.1-4.9) the most. CONCLUSIONS: In women with heart disease an association was found between maternal beta-blocker use and perinatal outcomes. Labetalol seems to be associated with the lowest risk of developing SGA, while atenolol should be avoided.

Pulmonary venous thrombosis in a healthy pregnancy.

We describe an unusual case of bilateral pulmonary venous thrombosis in a pregnant woman in her mid 30s, who presented at 34 weeks of gestation with symptoms of sudden onset chest pain, shortness of breath and near syncope attacks. The patient was treated with enoxaparin and made an excellent clinical and hemodynamic recovery.

Anticoagulant Therapy in Pregnant Women with Mechanical Heart Valves: Italian Federation of Centers for Diagnosis and Surveillance of the Antithrombotic Therapies (FCSA) Position Paper.

The management of anticoagulant therapy in pregnant women with mechanical heart valves (MHVs) is difficult and often challenging even for clinicians experienced in the field. These pregnancies, indeed, are burdened with higher rates of complications for both the mother and the fetus, compared to those in women without MHVs. The maternal need for an optimal anticoagulation as provided by vitamin K antagonists is counterbalanced by their teratogen effect on the embryo and fetus. On the other hand, several concerns have been raised about the efficacy of heparins in pregnant women with MHVs, considering the high risk of thrombotic complications in these patients. Therefore, numerous clinical issues about the management of pregnant women with MHVs remain unanswered, such as the selection of the best anticoagulant agent, the optimal anticoagulation levels to be achieved and maintained, and the evaluation of long-term effects for both the mother and the fetus. Based on a comprehensive review of the current literature, the Italian Federation of the Centers for the Diagnosis and the Surveillance of the Antithrombotic Therapies (FCSA) proposes experience-based suggestions and expert opinions. Particularly, this consensus document aims at providing practical guidance for clinicians dealing with pregnant women with MHVs, to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes while guaranteeing adequate anticoagulation. Finally, FCSA highlights the need for the creation of multidisciplinary teams experienced in the management of pregnant women with MHVs during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum, in order to better deal with such complex clinical issues and provide a comprehensive counseling to these patients.

Recovery of left ventricular systolic function in peripartum cardiomyopathy: an observational study from rural Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the recovery rate of the left ventricular systolic function of women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy receiving specialized care in rural Tanzania. METHODS: In this observational study, women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy at a referral center in rural Tanzania between December 2015 and September 2021 were included. Women diagnosed between February and September 2021 were followed prospectively, those diagnosed between December 2015 and January 2021 were tracked back for a follow-up echocardiography. All participants received a clinical examination, a comprehensive echocardiogram, and a prescription of guideline-directed medical therapy. The primary outcome was recovery of the left ventricular systolic function (left ventricular ejection fraction > 50%). RESULTS: Median age of the 110 participants was 28.5 years (range 17-45). At enrolment, 49 (45%) participants were already on cardiac medication, 50 (45%) had severe eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle, and the median left ventricular ejection fraction was 30% (range 15-46). After a median follow-up of 8.98 months (IQR 5.72-29.37), 61 (55%) participants were still on cardiac medication. Full recovery of the left ventricular systolic function was diagnosed in 76 (69%, 95% CI 59.6-77.6%) participants. In the multivariate analysis, a higher left ventricular ejection fraction at baseline was positively associated with full recovery (each 5% increase; OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.10-2.62, p = 0.012), while higher age was inversely associated (each 10 years increase; OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.19-0.82, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular systolic function recovered completely in 69% of study participants with peripartum cardiomyopathy from rural Tanzania under specialized care.

Combination anticoagulation strategy in pregnancy with mechanical valves: The KYBELE study.

BACKGROUND: Optimal first-trimester anticoagulation is still challenging in pregnant women with mechanical heart valves (MHVs) requiring high-dose warfarin. This multicenter prospective study aims to determine the optimal anticoagulation regimens for pregnant patients with MHVs. METHODS: All women were allocated to one of three treatment options during first trimester including lone low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), combination of LMWH + 2.5 mg warfarin, and LMWH+4 mg warfarin. Primary maternal outcome included a combination of death, thromboembolism, severe bleeding, and need for treatment of mechanical valve thrombosis (MVT). Any fetal loss was determined as primary fetal outcome. RESULTS: The study included 78 pregnancies in 65 women with MHVs. Primary maternal outcome rate was 44%, 12.5%, 3.5%, respectively. The rates of primary maternal outcome (44 vs 3.5%, P < .001), obstructive MVT (16 vs 0%, P = .04), MVT requiring treatment (28 vs 0%, P = .003), and cerebral embolism (24 vs 3.4%, P = .041) were found to be significantly higher in lone LMWH group compared to LMWH + 4 mg warfarin group. Moreover, the rates of primary maternal outcome (12.5 vs 44%, P = .015) and treatment for MHV thrombus (4.2 vs 28%, P = .049) were significantly lower in LMWH + 2.5 mg warfarin group compared to lone LMWH group. The incidences of fetal loss were 8 (32%) in the lone LMWH group, 8 (33.3%) in LMWH + 2.5 mg warfarin group, and 11 (37.9%) in LMWH + 4 mg warfarin group (P = .890 for 3-group).Warfarin related-embryopathy was not observed in any case. CONCLUSIONS: The combined anticoagulation strategy of LMWH plus low-dose warfarin during the first trimester of pregnancy may result in less maternal complications with comparable fetal outcomes in patients with MHVs. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is thought to be safer for the fetus, however it is suspected to be less protective for the mother. To solve this dilemma, the authors suggested a novel anticoagulation strategy in pregnant women with prosthetic valves. Seventy-eight pregnancies of 65 women (median age 32 [27-35] years) were included in the study. A combination of LMWH and a reduced dose warfarin were associated with low rates of thrombus-related complications in pregnant patients with mechanical heart valves.

Adherence to heart failure treatment in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is characterized by left ventricular (LV) dysfunction developing towards the end of pregnancy or in the first months postpartum. Although about 60% of women with PPCM (the majority of which are prescribed evidence based heart failure [HF] medications) show LV recovery within 6 to 12 months, others remain with persistently impaired LV function. Poor adherence to medical therapy represents a major cause of avoidable hospitalizations, disability, and death in other cardiovascular conditions. In this study, we aimed to determine drug adherence to HF therapy among women with PPCM and to identify possible associations between drug adherence and LV recovery, functional status and psychological well-being. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this single-centre, prospective, observational study, we included 36 consecutive women with PPCM. Adherence to HF treatment was assessed by (i) verifying the collection of pharmacy refills and (ii) using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Participants were thereby classified as 'adherent' (i.e. all prescribed HF drugs were detectable by LC-HRMS), 'partially adherent' (i.e. at least one prescribed drug detectable) or 'non-adherent' (i.e. none of the prescribed drugs detectable). Health state index scores were assessed by EQ-5D-5L and HADS-A/D (for anxiety/depression). Patients' median age was 32.4 years (IQR 27.6-36.1). At the adherence visit (which occurred at a median of 16 months [IQR 5-45] after PPCM diagnosis), prescription included beta-blockers (77.8%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (75%), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (47.2%) and loop diuretics (95.2%). Less than two thirds of patients (63.9%) collected all their pharmacy refills in the 6 months prior to adherence visit. According to LC-HRMS, 23.5% participants were classified as adherent, 53.0% as partially adherent, and 23.5% as non-adherent. Adherence was associated with significantly lower LVEDD at follow-up (47 mm [IQR 46-52), vs. 56 mm [IQR 49-64] with partial adherence, and 62 mm [IQR 55-64] with non-adherence, P = 0.022), and higher LVEF at follow-up (60% [IQR 41-65]), vs. partially adherence (46% [IQR 34-50]) and non-adherence (41.0% [IQR 29-47], P = 014). Adherent patients had a lower overall EQ- 5D score (5.5 [IQR 5-7.5], vs. 6 [IQR 5-7] in partially adherent, and 10 [IQR 8-15] in non-adherent patients, P = 0.032) suggestive of a better self-rated health status. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to HF therapy was associated with favourable LV reverse remodelling in PPCM and better self-rated health status. Our study highlights the importance of drug adherence for functional recovery. Drug adherence should be an important component of patient communication and specific interventions in PPCM.

Clinical Trials That Have Changed Obstetric Practice: The Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy (CHAP) Trial.

We describe the evolution of treatment recommendations for chronic hypertension (CHTN) in pregnancy, the CHTN and pregnancy (CHAP) trial, and its impact on obstetric practice. The US multicenter CHAP trial showed that antihypertensive treatment for mild CHTN in pregnancy [blood pressures (BP)<160/105 mm Hg] to goal<140/90 mm Hg, primarily with labetalol or nifedipine compared with no treatment unless BP were severe reduced the composite risk of superimposed severe preeclampsia, indicated preterm birth <35 weeks, placental abruption, and fetal/neonatal death. As a result of this trial, professional societies in the United States recommended treatment of patients with CHTN in pregnancy to BP goal<140/90 mm Hg.

Pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women with mechanical heart valves receiving warfarin treatment throughout pregnancy: 14-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate pregnancy outcomes and risk factors associated with fetal complications in Chinese pregnant women with mechanical heart valves (MHVs) taking low-dose warfarin, aiming to fill in the research gap of this area. METHODS: Between June 2010 and Aug 2023, 122 patients with MHVs who had 151 pregnancies and received warfarin throughout pregnancy were included. We compared them with 302 paired pregnancies without warfarin treatment. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to explore risk predictors of fetal complications. RESULTS: Pregnancy loss rate was 37.1 % in women taking warfarin, compared to only 4.6 % for those without warfarin exposure in pregnancy (RR = 8.00, 95 % CI: 4.61-13.90). In pregnant women with MHVs, there were 34 spontaneous abortions, 22 stillbirths and 1 neonatal malformation. In the first, second and third pregnant trimesters of women with MHVs, fetal complication incidences were 19.2 %, 9.9 % and 8.0 %, respectively. 86.0 % of fetal complications occurred in women taking a warfarin dose ≤5 mg/d, accounting for 94.0 % of the total population. The newborns' birth weight, gestational age and 1-minute Apgar score were significantly lower in pregnancies treated with warfarin compared to those without warfarin exposure. Only 2.0 % of postpartum hemorrhage and no thrombosis or maternal mortality data were collected in pregnant women on warfarin in this study. CONCLUSION: Most Chinese pregnant women take a warfarin daily dose ≤5 mg and they might have only around 60 % chance of giving birth to a live baby without maternal complications.

Risks associated with antidepressants in patients with hypertension during pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: In a cohort of pregnant women using antihypertensive drugs, we compared exposure to antidepressants versus no exposure and the possible association with birth weight, APGAR scores, NICU admission, and maternal admission to an obstetrical intensive care unit (OHC). It was hypothesized that pregnant women with hypertensive disorders using antidepressants are at greater risk of complications. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in a general teaching hospital in Zwolle, in the Middle-Northern part of The Netherlands. Finally, 58 pregnancies in the exposed group and 273 pregnancies in the reference group met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. We compared the neonate's birthweight between the exposed to antidepressants group and the reference group as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were the APGAR score at 1 and 5 min and obstetric high care (OHC) admission of the mother and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission of the child. RESULTS: We found no differences in birth weight in neonates of mothers with hypertensive disorders and whether or not to use antidepressants. Besides a possible higher risk of admission to an OHC in women with hypertension-complicated pregnancies using antidepressants, we found no other maternal or neonatal risks in this population. CONCLUSION: We found no additional maternal or neonatal risks of using antidepressants prescribed to women with hypertension disorders during pregnancy.

Successful management of peripartum cardiomyopathy in a Kenyan setting: a case series.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare life-threatening condition occurring in previously healthy women with symptoms mimicking those of normal pregnancy and is associated with a high mortality rate. A high index of suspicion coupled with a sound understanding of the disease is crucial to correctly diagnose and manage the patients to improve final maternal outcomes. In this report, we present a total of five cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy in women aged 22 to 38 years who presented between 3 and 21 days postpartum. All patients presented with severely reduced ejection fractions indicative of heart failure and were immediately admitted to our facility. A timely diagnosis was made and patients started on a combination of antibiotics, anticoagulants, and anti-heart failure medication. Despite the severity of the disease upon presentation, early diagnosis and precise management of the disease were essential in achieving favorable patient outcomes. Therefore, this report provides crucial knowledge about the presentation and progression of peripartum cardiomyopathy and presents a treatment protocol from a Kenyan perspective that was successfully employed in the management of all five cases.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: A review.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare type of heart failure manifesting towards the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery, in the absence of any other cause of heart failure. There is a wide range of incidence across countries reflecting different population demographics, uncertainty over definitions and under-reporting. Race, ethnicity, multiparity and advanced maternal age are considered important risk factors for the disease. Its etiopathogenesis is incompletely understood and is likely multifactorial, including hemodynamic stresses of pregnancy, vasculo-hormonal factors, inflammation, immunology and genetics. Affected women present with heart failure secondary to reduced left ventricular systolic function (LVEF <45%) and often with associated phenotypes such as LV dilatation, biatrial dilatation, reduced systolic function, impaired diastolic function, and increased pulmonary pressure. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, endomyocardial biopsy, and certain blood biomarkers aid in diagnosis and management. Treatment for peripartum cardiomyopathy depends on the stage of pregnancy or postpartum, disease severity and whether the woman is breastfeeding. It includes standard pharmacological therapies for heart failure, within the safety restrictions for pregnancy and lactation. Targeted therapies such as bromocriptine have shown promise in early, small studies, with large definitive trials currently underway. Failure of medical interventions may require mechanical support and transplantation in severe cases. Peripartum cardiomyopathy carries a high mortality rate of up to 10% and a high risk of relapse in subsequent pregnancies, but over half of women present normalization of LV function within a year of diagnosis.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with treating hypertension in pregnancy at different thresholds.

INTRODUCTION: In the United States, there has been controversy over whether treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension during pregnancy conveys more benefit than risk. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare risks and benefits of treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension during pregnancy. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 11,871 pregnant women with mild-to-moderate hypertension as defined by blood pressure (BP) values from three Kaiser Permanente regions between 2005 and 2014. Data were extracted from electronic health records. Dynamic marginal structural models with inverse probability weighting and informative censoring were used to compare risks of adverse outcomes when beginning antihypertensive medication treatment at four BP thresholds (≥155/105, ≥150/100, ≥145/95, ≥140/90 mm Hg) compared with the recommended threshold in the United States at that time, ≥160/110 mm Hg. Outcomes included preeclampsia, preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care, and stillbirth. Primary analyses allowed 2 weeks for medication initiation after an elevated BP. Several sensitivity and subgroup (i.e., race/ethnicity and pre-pregnancy body mass index) analyses were also conducted. RESULTS: In primary analyses, medication initiation at lower BP thresholds was associated with greater risk of most outcomes. Comparing the lowest (≥140/90 mm Hg) to the highest BP threshold (≥160/110 mm Hg), we found an excess risk of preeclampsia (adjusted Risk Difference (aRD) 38.6 per 100 births, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 30.6, 46.6), SGA (aRD: 10.2 per 100 births, 95% CI: 2.6, 17.8), NICU admission (aRD: 20.2 per 100 births, 95% CI: 12.6, 27.9), and stillbirth (1.18 per 100 births, 95% CI: 0.27, 2.09). The findings did not reach statistical significance for preterm birth (aRD: 2.5 per 100 births, 95% CI: -0.4, 5.3). These relationships were attenuated and did not always reach statistically significance when comparing higher BP treatment thresholds to the highest threshold (i.e., ≥160/110 mm Hg). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses produced similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of antihypertensive medication at mild-to-moderate BP thresholds (140-155/90-105 mm Hg; with the largest risk consistently associated with treatment at 140/90 mm Hg) may be associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Limitations include inability to measure medication adherence.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy with the Cardiac Function Restored by Cabergoline.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a left ventricular systolic dysfunction associated with heart failure (HF) in late-term pregnancy or peripartum. A 29-year-old pregnant woman with no history of cardiac disease noted lower extremity edema around 34 weeks' gestation with significant weight gain. She delivered twins via caesarean section, and the edema regressed postpartum. On postpartum day 4, however, she experienced difficulty breathing at night and was diagnosed with HF owing to PPCM. HF treatment along with cabergoline was initiated. With low prolactin blood levels, her symptoms and cardiac function improved over time. This case demonstrated the usefulness of anti-prolactin therapy with cabergoline in PPCM.