ABSTRACT
This statement focuses on the fact that women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) have a substantial mortality and morbidity rate. Less than 50% of patients have full recovery of their cardiac function within 6 months of diagnosis. Also, patients with recovered cardiac function often suffer from comorbidities, such as hypertension or arrhythmias, which require long-term treatment. This has major implications which extend beyond the life of the patient, as it may also substantially impact her family. Women with a new diagnosis of PPCM should be involved in the decision-making processes regarding therapies, e.g. the recommendation to abstain from breastfeeding, or the use of cardiac implantable electronic devices. Women living with PPCM face the uncertainty of not knowing for some time whether their cardiac function will recover to allow them a near-to-normal life expectancy. This not only impacts their ability to work, which may have financial implications, but may also affect mental health and quality of life for the extended family. Women living with PPCM must be informed that a future pregnancy always carries a substantial risk and, in case of poor cardiac recovery, is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Patients with PPCM are best managed by an interdisciplinary and multiprofessional approach including e.g. a cardiologist, a gynaecologist, nurses, a psychologist, and social workers. The scope of this document encompasses contemporary challenges and approaches for the management of women diagnosed with PPCM.
ABSTRACT
Aims: Improved long-term survival has widened the treatment goals for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) by addressing parameters that impact mental well-being and exercise capacity. Depression, a frequent co-morbidity in ACHD, is linked to both. Whether successful treatment of depression also affects cardiac parameters is a matter of debate. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional, longitudinal study included N = 150 ACHD (mean age 35.2 ± 11.3 years, 57% male) at baseline (t0) and N = 114 at follow-up (mean follow-up: 4.8 ± 0.6 years; t1). Patients were interviewed using a structured clinical interview, and severity of depression was assessed using the Montgomery-Asperg Depression Scale (MADRS). Additional testing was performed using self-rating questionnaires concerning depression, anxiety and quality of life (QoL). Exercise capacity (VO2max) was assessed by symptom limited exercise testing. Results: Of N = 33 patients diagnosed with depression at t0, N = 18 patients remitted and N = 15 were non-remitters. Remitters displayed significantly decreased anxiety (P = 0.013), improved global QoL (P = 0.002), and preserved VO2max (P = 0.958) at t1 compared to t0. This was associated with favourable health behaviour at t1 and stable body-mass-index. Contrarily, non-remitters reported further increased anxiety (P = 0.021) and no significant improvement in QoL (P = 0.405). VO2max declined significantly (P = 0.006) and body-mass-index increased (P = 0.004). Never-depressed patients showed no significant changes in anxiety (P = 0.415) or QoL (P = 0.211). VO2max decreased significantly (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In ACHD, remission from depression is associated with better physical functioning, mental health, and QoL. The assessment and treatment of depression in ACHD emerges as an important clinical goal that should be included in a comprehensive multimodal treatment plan.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) constitute an ever-growing patient population characterized by high risks for cardiovascular- and mental disorders. Personality disorders (PDs) are associated with adverse physical and mental health. Studies assessing PD prevalence in ACHD are lacking. METHODS: PD point prevalence was assessed in 210 ACHD by Structured Clinical Interview for Axis-II Personality Disorders (SCID-II) and compared to meta-analytical data from the general population. Depression and anxiety were measured by self-report (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and clinician-rating (Montgomery-Åsberg depression rating scale, MADRS). Childhood maltreatment was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and quality-of-life (QOL) with the World Health Organization QOL Scale. RESULTS: PD prevalence was markedly higher in ACHD compared to general population (28.1% vs. 7.7%). Particularly borderline (4.8% vs. 0.9%) and cluster C (i.e. anxious or fearful; 17.1% vs. 3.0%) PDs were overrepresented. PD diagnosis was associated with a surgery age ≤12 years (χ²(1)=7.861, φ=.195, p=.005) and higher childhood trauma levels (U=2583.5, Z=-3.585, p<.001). ACHD with PD reported higher anxiety (HADS-A: U=2116.0, Z=-5.723, p<.001) and depression (HADS-D: U=2254.5, Z=-5.392, p<.001; MADRS: U=2645.0, Z=-4.554, p<.001) levels and lower QOL (U=2538.5, Z=-4.723, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: PDs, particularly borderline- and cluster C, are significantly more frequent in ACHD compared to general population and associated with depression, anxiety and decreased QOL. Data from the general population suggest an association with adverse cardiometabolic and mental health. To ensure guideline-based treatment, clinicians should be aware of the increased PD risk in ACHD.
Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) constitute an ever-growing patient population characterized by an increased cardiovascular disease risk. Personality disorders (PDs) are associated with adverse mental and physical, in particular cardiovascular, health in the general population. Studies assessing PD prevalence in ACHD have been lacking to date. PDs, particularly borderline PD and cluster C (anxious or fearful) PDs, are highly prevalent in ACHD. PDs are associated with heightened levels of anxiety and depression and decreased quality of life in ACHD. Heart surgery before puberty and increased levels of childhood maltreatment are associated with PD diagnosis.