Pregnancy as an Early Cardiovascular Moment: Peripartum Cardiovascular Health.

Pregnancy is commonly referred to as a window into future CVH (cardiovascular health). During pregnancy, physiological adaptations occur to promote the optimal growth and development of the fetus. However, in approximately 20% of pregnant individuals, these perturbations result in cardiovascular and metabolic complications, which include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational age infant. The biological processes that lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes begin before pregnancy with higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes observed among those with poor prepregnancy CVH. Individuals who experience adverse pregnancy outcomes are also at higher risk of subsequent development of cardiovascular disease, which is largely explained by the interim development of traditional risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes. Therefore, the peripartum period, which includes the period before (prepregnancy), during, and after pregnancy (postpartum), represents an early cardiovascular moment or window of opportunity when CVH should be measured, monitored, and modified (if needed). However, it remains unclear whether adverse pregnancy outcomes reflect latent risk for cardiovascular disease that is unmasked in pregnancy or if adverse pregnancy outcomes are themselves an independent and causal risk factor for future cardiovascular disease. Understanding the pathophysiologic mechanisms and pathways linking prepregnancy CVH, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cardiovascular disease are necessary to develop strategies tailored for each stage in the peripartum period. Emerging evidence suggests the utility of subclinical cardiovascular disease screening with biomarkers (eg, natriuretic peptides) or imaging (eg, computed tomography for coronary artery calcium or echocardiography for adverse cardiac remodeling) to identify risk-enriched postpartum populations and target for more intensive strategies with health behavior interventions or pharmacological treatments. However, evidence-based guidelines focused on adults with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes are needed to prioritize the prevention of cardiovascular disease during the reproductive years and beyond.

Differences in Cardiometabolic Proteins in Pregnancy Prioritize Relevant Targets of Preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterized by widespread vascular inflammation. It occurs frequently in pregnancy, often without known risk factors, and has high rates of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Identification of biomarkers that predict preeclampsia and its cardiovascular sequelae before clinical onset, or even before pregnancy, is a critical unmet need for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: We explored differences in cardiovascular proteomics (Olink Explore 384) in 256 diverse pregnant persons across 2 centers (26% Hispanic, 21% Black). RESULTS: We identified significant differences in plasma abundance of markers associated with angiogenesis, blood pressure, cell adhesion, inflammation, and metabolism between individuals delivering with preeclampsia and controls, some of which have not been widely described previously and are not represented in the preeclampsia placental transcriptome. While we observed a broadly similar pattern in early (<34 weeks) versus late (≥34 weeks) preeclampsia, several proteins related to hemodynamic stress, hemostasis, and immune response appeared to be more highly dysregulated in early preeclampsia relative to late preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the value of performing targeted proteomics using a panel of cardiovascular biomarkers to identify biomarkers relevant to preeclampsia pathophysiology and highlight the need for larger multiomic studies to define modifiable pathways of surveillance and intervention upstream to preeclampsia diagnosis.

Rethinking Menopausal Hormone Therapy: For Whom, What, When, and How Long?

Menopausal hormone therapy (HT) was widely used in the past, but with the publication of seminal primary and secondary prevention trials that reported an excess cardiovascular risk with combined estrogen-progestin, HT use declined significantly. However, over the past 20 years, much has been learned about the relationship between the timing of HT use with respect to age and time since menopause, HT route of administration, and cardiovascular disease risk. Four leading medical societies recommend HT for the treatment of menopausal women with bothersome menopausal symptoms. In this context, this review, led by the American College of Cardiology Cardiolovascular Disease in Women Committee, along with leading gynecologists, women's health internists, and endocrinologists, aims to provide guidance on HT use, including the selection of patients and HT formulation with a focus on caring for symptomatic women with cardiovascular disease risk.

Acute Coronary Syndrome in Women: An Update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The goal of this manuscript is to provide a concise summary of recent developments in the approach to and treatment of women with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). RECENT FINDINGS: This review covers terminology updates relating to ACS and myocardial injury and infarction. Updates on disparities in recognition, treatments, and outcomes of women with ACS due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease are covered. Other causes of ACS, including spontaneous coronary artery dissection and myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease are discussed, given the increased frequency in women compared with men. The review summarizes the latest on the unique circumstance of ACS in women who are pregnant or post-partum, including etiologies, diagnostic approaches, medication safety, and revascularization considerations. Compared with men, women with ACS have unique risk factors, presentations, and pathophysiology. Treatments known to be effective for men with atherosclerosis-related ACS are also effective for women; further work remains on reducing the disparities in diagnosis and treatment. Implementation of multimodality imaging will improve diagnostic accuracy and allow for targeted medical therapy in the setting of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease.

Management of the Fontan patient during pregnancy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients with single-ventricle Fontan palliation surgery often wish to pursue pregnancy. Pregnancies should be planned with well tolerated and effective contraception, and preconception risk stratification by adult congenital heart disease and maternal foetal medicine specialists. RECENT FINDINGS: Although infertility and foetal complications, including pregnancy loss, preterm birth and foetal growth restriction, are common, most patients with Fontan palliations can successfully complete pregnancy with a team-based approach. Important risk predictors are resting oxygen saturations, baseline functional status and the presence of systemic complications of the Fontan repair, including advanced Fontan associated liver disease, plastic bronchitis and ventricular dysfunction. Common maternal cardiovascular complications include arrhythmia, heart failure and thromboembolism. Delivery planning with input from an obstetric anaesthesiologist who has knowledge of complex congenital heart defects can facilitate appropriate, individualized monitoring and pain control. A vaginal delivery with consideration of an assisted second stage is appropriate for most single ventricle patients, in the absence of obstetric or foetal indications for caesarean delivery. Close postpartum monitoring and follow up is recommended, as the early postpartum period is the highest risk time for cardiovascular complications in patients with congenital heart disease. SUMMARY: A multidisciplinary approach to managing pregnancy and delivery in patients with Fontan circulation facilitates optimal maternal and infant outcomes.

Prenatal Low-Dose Aspirin Use Associated with Reduced Incidence of Postpartum Hypertension among Women with Preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum hypertension (PP-HTN), defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) ≥140/90, on two occasions at least 4 hours apart after delivery occurs in up to 50% of preeclamptic pregnancies, and is associated with adverse maternal outcomes. Excessive production of antiangiogenic factors (i.e., soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 [sFLT1]) and reduced levels of proangiogenic factors (i.e., placental growth factor [PlGF]) are associated with preeclamptic pregnancies. The aim of this study was to identify clinical risk factors and/or serum biomarkers associated with PP-HTN in preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Preeclamptic women (n = 82, aged ≥18 years) were prospectively enrolled in an observational study. Serial blood pressures were obtained through the labor course and until 48 hours postpartum, and serum was obtained within 24 hours postpartum. Statistical analysis was performed by using Student's two-tailed t-test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Baseline comorbidities and antihypertensive use were similar among those who developed PP-HTN and those who did not. Among preeclamptic patients, 33% developed PP-HTN; these had significantly more severe preeclampsia features versus no PP-HTN (96 vs. 78%, p = 0.05). PP-HTN was associated with higher re-hospitalization rates (26 vs. 6%, p = 0.01). Among those taking low-dose aspirin (ASA) for preeclampsia prophylaxis (n = 12), PP-HTN was significantly less frequent versus those not taking low-dose ASA (0 vs. 22%, p = 0.007). Low-dose ASA use was associated with significantly lower peripartum sFLT1 levels (4,650 ± 2,335 vs. 7,870 ± 6,282 pg/mL, p = 0.03) and sFLT1/PlGF ratio (397 ± 196 vs. 1,527 ± 2,668, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: One-third of women with preeclampsia develop PP-HTN; these patients have more severe preeclampsia and have higher re-hospitalization rates. Prenatal low-dose ASA use was associated with significantly lower incidence of PP-HTN, reduced levels of antiangiogenic factors, and lower 6-week re-hospitalization rates. These findings, if replicated, may have clinical implications on the use of low-dose ASA during pregnancy to reduce incidence of postpartum HTN. KEY POINTS: · Postpartum hypertension is common in preeclampsia.. · Prenatal aspirin may reduce postpartum hypertension.. · Prenatal aspirin may reduce sFLT1 levels..

Maternal Stroke: A Call for Action.

Maternal mortality rates have been steadily increasing in the United States, and cardiovascular mortality is the leading cause of death among pregnant and postpartum women. Maternal stroke accounts for a significant burden of cardiovascular mortality. Data suggest that rates of maternal stroke have been increasing in recent years. Advancing maternal age at the time of birth and the increasing prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and other risk factors, as well, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, migraine, and infections, may contribute to increased rates of maternal stroke. In this article, we provide an overview of the epidemiology of maternal stroke, explore mechanisms that may explain increasing rates of stroke among pregnant women, and identify key knowledge gaps for future investigation in this area.

Cardiac Surgery in Women in the Current Era: What Are the Gaps in Care?

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for women in United States and worldwide. One in 3 women dies from cardiovascular disease, and 45% of women >20 years old have some form of CVD. Historically, women have had higher morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. Sex influences pathogenesis, pathophysiology, presentation, postoperative complications, surgical outcomes, and survival. This review summarizes current cardiovascular surgery outcomes as they pertain to women. Specifically, this article seeks to address whether sex disparities in research, surgical referral, and outcomes still exist and to provide strategies to close these gaps. In addition, with the growing population of women of reproductive age with cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors, indications for cardiac surgery arise in pregnant women. The current review will also address the unique issues associated with this special population.

Women and atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a growing problem in the United States and worldwide, imposing a high individual and health system burden, including increased resource consumption due to repeated hospitalizations, stroke, dementia, heart failure, and death. This comprehensive review summarizes the most recent data on sex-related differences in risks associated with AF. Women with AF have increased risk of stroke and death compared to men, and possible reasons for this disparity are explored. Women also continue to have worse symptoms and quality of life, and poorer outcomes with stroke prevention, as well as with rate and rhythm control management strategies. Many current rhythm control treatment strategies for AF, including cardioversion and ablation, are used less frequently in women as compared to men, whereas women are more likely to be treated with rate control strategies or antiarrhythmic drugs. Sex differences should be considered in treating women with AF to improve outcomes and women and men should be offered the same interventions for AF. We need to improve the evidence base to understand if variation in utilization of rate and rhythm control management between men and women represents health inequities or appropriate clinical judgement.

Arrhythmias in Pregnancy.

The prevalence of arrhythmias in pregnant women are rising, particularly among women with a history of structural heart disease or prior arrhythmia. The physiological changes of pregnancy increase the risk of both benign and pathologic arrhythmias, with atrial fibrillation representing the most common pathologic arrhythmia. While bradyarrhythmias rarely require treatment during pregnancy, pharmacotherapy is frequently required for tachyarrhythmias. Electrophysiological procedures including cardioversions, ablations, and device placement are occasionally required during pregnancy and can be performed safely with proper precautions. This chapter will discuss the diagnosis and management of a broad array of cardiac arrhythmias that may be encountered in pregnant women.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Progress in Understanding the Etiology, Management, and Prognosis.

Occurring in approximately 1 in 1000 live births in the United States, peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is characterized by left ventricular ejection fraction reduced to less than 45% near the end of pregnancy or within the first 5 months after delivery. Although the cause of PPCM remains unclear, increasing evidence supports a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors contributing to angiogenic imbalance, which may lead to myocardial dysfunction in a susceptible woman. This article reviews the progress that has been made regarding understanding of the cause, management, and natural history of PPCM.

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Women: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in American women. Since 1984, the annual cardiovascular disease mortality rate has remained greater for women than men; however, over the last decade, there have been marked reductions in cardiovascular disease mortality in women. The dramatic decline in mortality rates for women is attributed partly to an increase in awareness, a greater focus on women and cardiovascular disease risk, and the increased application of evidence-based treatments for established coronary heart disease. This is the first scientific statement from the American Heart Association on acute myocardial infarction in women. Sex-specific differences exist in the presentation, pathophysiological mechanisms, and outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This statement provides a comprehensive review of the current evidence of the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, treatment, and outcomes of women with acute myocardial infarction.