Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Pregnancy: Outcomes From an Australian Tertiary Centre for Maternal Medicine and Review of the Current Literature.

BACKGROUND: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is associated with significant risks of decline in left ventricular function and adverse maternal and fetal outcome in subsequent pregnancy. The risks of pregnancy in women with dilated cardiomyopathy are unclear. We aimed to assess the outcome of pregnancy in women with dilated cardiomyopathy seen at our institution and to review the literature on this subject. METHODS: A retrospective audit of the outcomes of 14 pregnancies to 12 women with dilated cardiomyopathy. RESULTS: There were no cardiac events and no woman had a decline in left ventricular function during pregnancy. There was a high rate of prematurity and adverse fetal outcome related to this, including four neonatal deaths. CONCLUSION: Maternal outcomes in this small series were satisfactory though only three women had moderate-severe left ventricular dysfunction at baseline. There was a high rate of premature delivery and adverse neonatal outcome.

Sooner and healthier: a randomised controlled trial and interview study of an early discharge rehabilitation service for older people.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals are under pressure from admissions of increasing numbers of older people. Older people may suffer unnecessary activity limitation after acute illnesses through lack of appropriate rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an early discharge and rehabilitation service for older people. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial comparing an early discharge and rehabilitation with standard hospital aftercare. Outcome measures assessed at 3 and 12 months were the Barthel Index, Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living and EuroQol (for patients) the General Health Questionnaire (for patients and carers). Use of services over 12 months was recorded. An interview study of patients and staff was conducted. SETTING AND INTERVENTION: The early discharge and rehabilitation service offered a home-based rehabilitation and care programme for up to 4 weeks. PARTICIPANTS: 370 hospitalised older medical and surgical patients were included in the randomised controlled trial. Twenty patients and 11 staff were interviewed. RESULTS: Subjects in the early discharge rehabilitation service group used fewer days in hospital at 3 months (mean difference 9, median difference 4 days, 95% CI of median difference 2-8). At 3 months the early discharge and rehabilitation service patients had better Barthel scores (mean difference 1.2, 95% CI 0.4-1.9), Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living kitchen scores (mean difference 1.2, 95% CI 0.2-2.3), Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living domestic scores (mean difference 1.1, 95% CI 0.2-2.0) and General Health Questionnaire scores (mean difference 2.4, 95% CI 0.7-4.1). Significant Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living domestic and General Health Questionnaire benefits remained at 12 months. The early discharge and rehabilitation service carers had better General Health Questionnaire scores at 3 months (mean difference 2.0, 95% CI 0.1-3.8). The interviews suggested that the early discharge and rehabilitation service was patient-centred, set clear goals, worked as a team, and considered physical, psychological, social and environmental issues. It was found to be highly satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Some older people can be discharged from hospital sooner, with better health outcomes using a well-staffed and organised patient-centred early discharge service providing rehabilitation.