Knowledge Levels and Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism among Pregnant Women in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey for the 'Move for Flow' Programme.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a significant risk factor for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) which results in high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. Awareness creation is one of the preventable strategies of VTE. To this effect, we designed the 'Move for Flow' program aimed at maternal health education on VTE, its symptoms and preventive strategies. For the best implementation of this program, the current knowledge level of the relevant population is of great interest in guiding the program design and implementation. AIM: To assess the knowledge levels of VTE among Nigerian pregnant women. METHODOLOGY: In this cross-sectional survey, 1000 pregnant women residing in Enugu, Nigeria, completed a structured questionnaire which assessed their knowledge of VTE, its risk factors and prevention strategies. Quantitatively, their knowledge levels were categorized as no, poor, average and good knowledge. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents did not know about pregnancy-related deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (80.8%) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (88.9). Predictors of DVT knowledge levels include husbands' level of education (at most secondary education) (AOR = 4.2; 95%CI = 2.554-6.816; p = <0.001) and maternal age (AOR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.930-0.999; p = 0.044) while predictors of PE knowledge level include husbands' level of education (at most secondary education) (AOR = 2.1; 95%CI = 1.005-4.436; p = 0.048) and maternal occupation (professionals) (AOR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.219- 0.794; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women are unaware of pregnancy-related VTE in Enugu, Nigeria. Immediate designing and implementation of the 'Move for Flow' program are recommended to improve maternal knowledge levels of VTE.

CONTEXTE: La grossesse est un facteur de risque important pour la thromboembolie veineuse (TEV), qui entraîne des taux élevés de morbidité et de mortalité maternelles et périnatales. La sensibilisation est l'une des stratégies de prévention de la TEV. À cet effet, nous avons conçu le programme "Move for Flow", qui vise à éduquer les mères sur la TEV, ses symptômes et les stratégies de prévention.Pour une mise en œuvre optimale de ce programme, le niveau de connaissance actuel de la population concernée est d'un grand intérêt pour guider la conception et la mise en œuvre du programme. OBJECTIF: Évaluer le niveau de connaissance de la TEV chez les femmes enceintes nigérianes. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Dans cette enquête transversale, 1000 femmesenceintes résidant à Enugu, au Nigeria, ont rempli un questionnaire structuré qui évaluait leurs connaissances sur la TEV, ses facteurs de risque et les stratégies de prévention. D'un point de vue quantitatif, leurs connaissances ont été classées en trois catégories : pas de connaissance, faible connaissance, connaissance moyenne et bonne connaissance. RÉSULTATS: La majorité des personnes interrogées ne connaissaient pas la thrombose veineuse profonde (TVP) (80,8 %) et l'embolie pulmonaire (EP) liées à la grossesse (88,9 %). Les facteurs prédictifs des niveaux de connaissance de la TVP comprennent le niveau d'éducation du mari (au plus l'éducation secondaire) (AOR=4,2 ; 95% CI =2,554-6,816 ; p= <0,001) et l'âge de la mère (AOR=0,9 ; 95% CI=0,930-0,999 ; p=0. 044) tandis que les prédicteurs du niveau de connaissance de l'EP incluent le niveau d'éducation du mari (auplus l'éducation secondaire) (AOR=2.1 ; 95%CI=1.005-4.436 ; p=0.048) et la profession de la mère (professionnels) (AOR=0.4 ; 95% CI=0.219-0.794 ; p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Les femmes enceintes ne sont pas conscientes de la TEV liée à la grossesse à Enugu, au Nigeria. La conception et la mise en œuvre immédiates du programme " Move for Flow " sont recommandées pour améliorer les connaissances maternelles sur la. Mots clés: Grossesse, Thromboembolie veineuse, Thrombose veineuse profonde, Embolie pulmonaire, Nigeria.

Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease: a focus on management and preventing the risk of complications.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common cardiac disorder in pregnancy in the western world (around 80%). Due to improvements in surgical interventions more women with CHD are surviving to adulthood and choosing to become pregnant. AREAS COVERED: Preconception counseling, antenatal management of CHDs and strategies to prevent maternal and fetal complications.Preconception counseling should start early, before the transition to adult care and be offered to both men and women. It should include the choice of contraception, lifestyle modifications, pre-pregnancy optimization of cardiac state, the chance of the child inheriting a similar cardiac lesion, the risks to the mother, and long-term prognosis. Pregnancy induces marked physiological changes in the cardiovascular system that may precipitate cardiac complications. Risk stratification is based on the underlying cardiac disease and data from studies including CARPREG, ZAHARA, and ROPAC. EXPERT OPINION: Women with left to right shunts, regurgitant lesions, and most corrected CHDs are at lower risk and can be managed in secondary care. Complex CHD, including systemic right ventricle need expert counseling in a tertiary center. Those with severe stenotic lesions, pulmonary artery hypertension, and Eisenmenger's syndrome should avoid pregnancy, be given effective contraception and managed in a tertiary center if pregnancy does happen.

Risk Assessment Model for Postpartum Venous Thromboembolism Prevention in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: This article assesses the application of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk model on a cohort of postpartum patients with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). STUDY DESIGN: This is a secondary analysis of an ongoing patient registry of women with SLE from 2016 to 2022. There were 49 SLE patients with 55 pregnancies using the Definitions of Remission in SLE (DORIS) criteria to determine SLE disease activity. RCOG risk assessment model scoring was calculated for each patient prior to and after delivery. The primary outcome was the qualification of "active SLE" by standard rheumatologic criteria and assessment of recommendations for VTE prophylaxis based on RCOG VTE risk assessment scoring. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test with significance defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: In the study cohort, 34 pregnancies (61.8%) were in DORIS remission at delivery. Twenty-one pregnancies (38.2%) were not and scored 3 points on the RCOG VTE risk model. Of these pregnancies, only 19% (n = 4) were recommended for VTE prophylaxis by the obstetrical provider despite RCOG score ≥3. Only 35.7% (n = 5) of pregnancies in DORIS remission, but with 3 points for non-SLE-related VTE risk factors (n = 14), were recommended for VTE prophylaxis. Of the 20 pregnancies in remission with an RCOG score < 3 after assessing all risk factors, 15% (n = 3) were nevertheless recommended for VTE prophylaxis. No patients had a postpartum VTE regardless of therapy. CONCLUSION: These data reveal a need to improve upon providing postpartum VTE prophylaxis to SLE patients not in remission while also recognizing a diagnosis of SLE alone should not equate with active disease. Moreover, SLE patients in remission may still warrant VTE prophylaxis if other non-SLE-related risk factors are present. KEY POINTS: · Those with SLE are at increased risk for VTE postpartum.. · VTE prophylaxis should be instituted when clinically appropriate.. · Caution should be exercised in broadly assigning disease activity for SLE diagnosis only.. · This study supports VTE prophylaxis use in postpartum patients with SLE..

Women's values and preferences on low-molecular-weight heparin and pregnancy: a mixed-methods systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is the cornerstone of prophylaxis and treatment of thrombotic events during pregnancy. LMWH has fewer adverse effects than other anticoagulants, does not cross the placenta, and is safe for the fetus. However, the use of LMWH during pregnancy is sensitive to womens' underlying preferences. The objective of this review is to systematically assess women's values and preferences research evidence on this topic. METHODS: We searched four electronic databases from inception to March 2022, and included studies examining values and preferences of using LMWH among pregnant women at risk of VTE. We followed a convergent integrated mixed-methods design to compare and contrast quantitative outcomes (utility and non-utility measures) and qualitative findings. We assessed the certainty of the values and preferences evidence with the GRADE approach for quantitative findings, and with GRADE-CERqual for qualitative evidence. Results were presented in a conjoint display. RESULTS: We screened 3,393 references and identified seven eligible studies. The mixed methods analysis resulted in four themes. Datasets confirmed each other in that: 1) the majority of women consider that benefits of treatment outweigh the inconveniences of daily injections; and 2) main concerns around medication are safety and injections administration. Quantitative outcomes expanded on the qualitative findings in that: 3) participants who perceived a higher risk of VTE were more willing to take LMWH. Finally, we found a discrepancy between the datasets around: 4) the amount of information preferred to make the decision; however, qualitative data expanded to clarify that women prefer making informed decisions and receive support from their clinician in their decision-making process. CONCLUSIONS: We are moderately confident that in the context of pregnancy, using LMWH is preferred by women given its net beneficial balance. Integrating data from different sources of evidence, and representing them in a jointly manner helps to identify patient's values and preferences. Our results may inform clinical practice guidelines and support shared decision-making process in the clinical encounter for the management of VTE in the context of pregnancy.

Pharmacokinetics of the most commonly used antihypertensive drugs throughout pregnancy methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Antihypertensive drugs are among the most prescribed drugs during pregnancy. Methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine have been perceived safe to use during pregnancy and are therefore recommended in international guidelines for treatment of hypertension. In this review, we provide a complete overview of what is known on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the antihypertensive drugs methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine throughout pregnancy. METHODS: A systematic search was performed to retrieve studies on the PK of methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine used throughout pregnancy. The search was restricted to English and original studies. The systematic search was conducted on July 27, 2021, in Embase, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Keywords were methyldopa, labetalol, nifedipine, pharmacokinetics, pregnancy, and placenta. RESULTS: A total of 1459 unique references were identified of which title and abstract were screened. Based on this screening, 67 full-text papers were assessed, to retain 30 PK studies of which 2 described methyldopa, 12 labetalol, and 16 nifedipine. No fetal accumulation is found for any of the antihypertensive drugs studied. CONCLUSION: We conclude that despite decades of prescribing methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine throughout pregnancy, descriptions of their PK during pregnancy are hampered by a large heterogeneity in the low number of available studies. Aiming for evidence-based and personalized dosing of antihypertensive medication in the future, further studies on the relationship of both PK and pharmacodynamics (including the optimal blood pressure targeting) during pregnancy and pregnancy-related pathology are urgently needed to prevent undertreatment, overtreatment, and side effects.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #61: Anticoagulation in pregnant patients with cardiac disease.

Pregnancy in individuals with a mechanical heart valve has been classified as very high risk because of a substantially increased risk of maternal mortality or severe morbidity. Lifelong therapeutic anticoagulation is a principal component of the medical management of mechanical heart valves to prevent valve thrombosis. Anticoagulation regimens indicated outside of pregnancy for patients with mechanical valves should be continued during pregnancy with the possibility of modifications based on the type of valve, the trimester of pregnancy, individual risk tolerance, and circumstances around the time of delivery. The purpose of this document is to provide recommendations regarding the management of anticoagulation for common cardiac conditions complicating pregnancy, including mechanical heart valves, atrial fibrillation, systolic heart failure, and congenital heart disease.

Prevention and management of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy: cutting through the practice variation.

There is clinical practice variation in the area of prevention and management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy. There are limited data and differing recommendations across major clinical practice guidelines, especially relating to the role of postpartum low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for patients with mild inherited thrombophilia and those with pregnancy-related VTE risk factors. This chapter explores the issues of practice variation and related data for postpartum VTE prevention. Controversial topics of VTE management in pregnancy are also reviewed and include LMWH dosing and the role of anti-Xa level monitoring, as well as peripartum anticoagulation management around labor and delivery.

Evaluation of a Risk-Stratified, Heparin-Based, Obstetric Thromboprophylaxis Protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes before and after implementation of a risk-stratified heparin-based obstetric thromboprophylaxis protocol. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients who delivered at our tertiary care center from 2013 to 2018. Deliveries were categorized as preprotocol (2013-2015; no standardized heparin-based thromboprophylaxis) and postprotocol (2016-2018). Patients receiving outpatient anticoagulation for active venous thromboembolism (VTE) or high VTE risk were excluded. Coprimary effectiveness and safety outcomes were postpartum VTEs and wound hematomas, respectively, newly diagnosed after delivery and up to 6 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes were other wound or bleeding complications, including unplanned surgical procedures (eg, hysterectomies, wound explorations) and blood transfusions. Outcomes were compared between groups, and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs were calculated using the preprotocol group as reference. RESULTS: Of 24,229 deliveries, 11,799 (49%) occurred preprotocol. Although patients were more likely to receive heparin-based prophylaxis postprotocol (15.6% vs 1.2%, P<.001), there was no difference in VTE frequency between groups (0.1% vs 0.1%, odds ratio 1.0, 95% CI 0.5-2.1). However, patients postprotocol experienced significantly more wound hematomas (0.7% vs 0.4%, aOR 2.34, 95% CI 1.54-3.57), unplanned surgical procedures (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.06-1.57), and blood transfusions (aOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.16-1.55). CONCLUSION: Risk-stratified heparin-based thromboprophylaxis in a general obstetric population was associated with increased wound and bleeding complications without a complementary decrease in postpartum VTE. Guidelines recommending this strategy should be reconsidered.

Alternatives to Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Anticoagulation in Pregnant Women with Mechanical Heart Valves in Middle-Income Countries: A Cohort Study.

Objective: To compare cardiac complications and pregnancy outcomes in women with mechanical heart valves (MHVs) on two different anticoagulation regimens in a middle-income country. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing outcomes in pregnant women with MHVs that received vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) throughout pregnancy versus sequential anticoagulation (heparins in the first trimester and peripartum period and VKAs for the remainder of pregnancy), at a tertiary centre in South India, from January 2011 to August 2020. Results: We identified 138 pregnancies in 121 women, of whom 32 received VKAs while 106 were on sequential anticoagulation. There were no differences between groups with regard to maternal deaths [0 vs. 6 (5.7%), p = 0.34], thromboembolic events [2 (6.3%) vs. 15 (14.2%), p = 0.36], haemorrhagic complications [4 (12.5%) vs. 12 (11.3%), p = 0.85], cardiac events [1 (3.1% vs. 17 (16%), p = 0.07], spontaneous miscarriages [5 (15.6%) vs. 13 (12.3%), p = 0.62], stillbirths [0 vs. 5 (5.4%), p = 0.581] or neonatal deaths [2 (8.7%) vs. 1 (1.1%), p = 0.11]. Both cases of warfarin embryopathy received >5 mg warfarin in the first trimester. Thromboembolic events were associated with subtherapeutic doses of heparin in the first and third trimesters and the early postpartum period. Fetal growth restriction and preterm birth complicated 34 (29.3%) and 26 (22.4%) pregnancies respectively. Conclusion: Pregnancy complications associated with MHVs in middle-income countries may be reduced by multidisciplinary surveillance, avoiding first-trimester warfarin if daily doses >5 mg and ensuring therapeutic levels of heparin during bridging in the first and third trimesters and peripartum period. Administration of low-dose aspirin should be considered as this may prevent placentally-mediated complications of pregnancy. Highlights: Pregnancy complications associated with MHVs in LMICs may be reduced by multidisciplinary surveillance, avoiding first-trimester warfarin if the daily dose is >5 mg, ensuring therapeutic levels of heparin in the first trimester and peripartum period.Placentally-mediated complications of pregnancy can be prevented by administering low-dose aspirin.Vitamin K antagonists or sequential regimen can be used as suitable alternatives to LMWH for anticoagulation in pregnant women with MHVs.

The REBECGA brazilian registry of pregnancy and heart disease: rationale and design

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality rates in Brazil remain above the goals established by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Heart disease is estimated to affect 4% of all pregnancies and remains by itself the main indirect obstetric cause of maternal death. In the last decades, a significant improvement in the prognosis of heart diseases has made pregnancy possible in women with heart disease and provided better maternal and fetal outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To establish a multicenter Brazilian Registry of pregnant women with heart disease; to study the causes of immediate and late maternal mortality; and to assess the prevalence of heart disease in the country's macro-regions. METHODS: This is an observational study, with retrospective and prospective stages, of the clinical and obstetric progression of pregnant women with heart disease. These women consecutively received care during pregnancy and will be followed up for up to a year after delivery at public and private hospitals with infrastructure for the execution of this project, a principal investigator, and approval by Ethics and Research Committees. RESULTS: Our results will be presented after data collection and statistical analysis, aiming to demonstrate immediate and late maternal mortality rates, as well as the prevalence of heart disease in the country and its cardiovascular and obstetric complications during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: REBECGA will be the Brazilian Registry of heart disease and pregnancy and it will contribute to planning preventive measures, raising financial resources for the improvement of high-risk prenatal care, and reducing immediate and late maternal mortality due to heart disease.

A retrospective cohort study using a national surveillance questionnaire to investigate the characteristics of maternal venous thromboembolism in Japan in 2018.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, the numbers of deliveries by women of older maternal age and women with overweight or obesity have recently increased. Since 2008, the guidelines and practices to prevent the maternal venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been recommended antepartum and postpartum thromboprophylaxis for each risk level of VTE. This study aimed to clarify the incidence and characteristics (type of VTE and thromboprophylaxis) of VTE in pregnant women in Japan to reduce the rate of mortality from VTE METHODS: Of 2299 institutions sent the surveillance questionnaire, 666 (29.0%) responded, and data from 295,961 women who gave birth in those institutions in 2018 were analyzed. We calculated the incidence and characteristics of VTE before and after the deliveries. RESULTS: At the responding institutions, 243 women (0.082%) had VTE in 2018. In 2018, deep vein thrombosis was significantly more common (0.0053%) than pulmonary thromboembolism (0.0019%; p < 0.0001). The incidence of antepartum VTE (0.0055%) was significantly higher than that of postpartum VTE (0.0026%; p < 0.0001). The incidence of VTE after cesarean Sect. (0.0074%) was significantly higher than that after vaginal delivery (0.0012%; p < 0.0001). Of the women with VTE, 4 (1.6%) died. CONCLUSIONS: Among the women thought to have a low risk of VTE during the antepartum period, and especially women who had a vaginal delivery, the actual incidence of VTE might have increased in Japan.

Influence of the degree of adherence to the mediterranean diet and its components on cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy. The GESTAFIT project.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Studies regarding dietary patterns and cardiometabolic risk markers during pregnancy are scarce. The aim of the present study was to analyse whether different degrees of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and the MD components were associated with cardiometabolic markers and a clustered cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study comprised 119 pregnant women from the GEStation and FITness (GESTAFIT) project. Dietary habits were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire at the 16th and 34th gestational weeks (g.w.). The Mediterranean Diet Score was employed to assess MD adherence. The following cardiometabolic markers were assessed: pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). A greater MD adherence was associated with a better cardiometabolic status in cross-sectional (16th g.w. and 34th g.w.) and prospective analyses (MD adherence at the 16th g.w. and cardiometabolic markers at the 34th g.w.; SBP, DBP and HDL-C; all, p < 0.05). Participants with the highest MD adherence (Tertile 3) had a lower clustered cardiometabolic risk than those with the lowest MD adherence (Tertile 1) at the 16th and 34th g.w. (both, p < 0.05). A higher intake of fruits, vegetables and fish and a lower intake of refined cereals and red meat and subproducts were associated with a lower cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy (all, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A higher MD adherence, a greater intake of fruits, vegetables and fish and a lower intake of refined cereals and red meat and subproducts showed a cardioprotective effect throughout gestation.

Gynecologic Considerations for Adolescents and Young Women With Cardiac Conditions: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 813.

Congenital heart conditions are the most common type of congenital anomaly, affecting nearly 1% of U.S. births, or approximately 40,000 neonates, each year. As more female patients with congenital heart disease enter adolescence and adulthood, there is a growing need to address reproductive health in this population. Addressing contraceptive needs is particularly important for adolescents and young women with congenital heart disease, many of whom may have limited knowledge about how their condition or medications may affect their long-term health, including reproductive health. Decisions regarding the most appropriate contraceptive method require discussion of future pregnancy desires and personal preferences, as well as critical assessment of the patient's underlying disease and the relative risks and benefits of the contraceptive option. Because of the morbidity associated with pregnancy in individuals with cardiac conditions, the initiation of contraception should not be delayed due to concerns about potential contraindication. For those patients with valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, or hypertension, it is reasonable to initiate a progestin-only method until clarification of the safety of an estrogen-containing method is determined in conjunction with the patient's cardiologist. Contraceptive counseling should be patient-centered, free of coercion, and should address the most common misperceptions about contraceptive methods in a way that is age-appropriate and compatible with the patient's health literacy. To optimize maternal and infant health outcomes, planning for future pregnancies in these patients should be done in collaboration with maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists and cardiology specialists. Patients who continue their pregnancy should be referred to a pregnancy heart team.

Gynecologic Considerations for Adolescents and Young Women With Cardiac Conditions: ACOG Committee Opinion Summary, Number 813.

Congenital heart conditions are the most common type of congenital anomaly, affecting nearly 1% of U.S. births, or approximately 40,000 neonates, each year. As more female patients with congenital heart disease enter adolescence and adulthood, there is a growing need to address reproductive health in this population. Addressing contraceptive needs is particularly important for adolescents and young women with congenital heart disease, many of whom may have limited knowledge about how their condition or medications may affect their long-term health, including reproductive health. Decisions regarding the most appropriate contraceptive method require discussion of future pregnancy desires and personal preferences, as well as critical assessment of the patient's underlying disease and the relative risks and benefits of the contraceptive option. Because of the morbidity associated with pregnancy in individuals with cardiac conditions, the initiation of contraception should not be delayed due to concerns about potential contraindication. For those patients with valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, or hypertension, it is reasonable to initiate a progestin-only method until clarification of the safety of an estrogen-containing method is determined in conjunction with the patient's cardiologist. Contraceptive counseling should be patient-centered, free of coercion, and should address the most common misperceptions about contraceptive methods in a way that is age-appropriate and compatible with the patient's health literacy. To optimize maternal and infant health outcomes, planning for future pregnancies in these patients should be done in collaboration with maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists and cardiology specialists. Patients who continue their pregnancy should be referred to a pregnancy heart team.

The personal and clinical impact of screen-detected maternal rheumatic heart disease in Uganda: a prospective follow up study.

BACKGROUND: Pre-existing maternal cardiac disease is a significant contributor to adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. In 2015-2017, our team conducted the first community-based study of maternal rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in sub-Saharan Africa and identified RHD in 88% of those with pre-existing heart disease. Here we conducted a follow up investigation of women previously identified with RHD, describing clinical and echocardiographic outcomes, identifying barriers to medical adherence and evaluating the personal impact of RHD. METHODS: A 2 week prospective follow up was completed at sites in Central and Eastern Uganda. Participants underwent a three-step mixed methods study comprising of 1) direct structured interview targeting clinical history and medication adherence, 2) echocardiogram to evaluate left-sided heart valves, and 3) semi-structured guideline interview to elicit personal impacts of RHD. RESULTS: The team evaluated 40 (80%) of the original 51 mothers with RHD at a median post-partum time of 2.5 years after delivery (IQR 0.5). Echocardiographic data showed improvement in nine women with the remaining 31 women showing stable echocardiographic findings. Adherence to Benzathine penicillin G (BPG) prophylaxis was poor, with 70% of patients either poorly adherent or non-adherent. Three major themes emerged from interviews: 1) social determinants of health (World Health Organization, Social determinants of health, 2019) negatively affecting healthcare, 2) RHD diagnosis negatively affecting female societal wellbeing, 3) central role of spouse in medical decision making. CONCLUSIONS: Screening echocardiography can identify women with pre-existing rheumatic heart disease during pregnancy, but long-term follow-up in Uganda reveals adherence to medical care following diagnosis, including BPG, is poor. Additionally, mothers diagnosed with RHD may experience unintended consequences such as social stigmatization. As identification of occult RHD is critical to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes, further research is needed to determine how to best support women who face a new diagnosis of RHD, and to determine the role of screening echocardiography in high-risk settings.

Prepregnancy adherence to dietary recommendations for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in relation to risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether adherence to diet recommendations for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population is also related to the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension (GHTN). OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate the relation of prepregnancy adherence to the American Heart Association (AHA) diet recommendations and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) with the risk of pre-eclampsia and GHTN. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2009, we prospectively followed 16,892 singleton pregnancies among 11,535 women who participated in the Nurses' Health Study II. Prepregnancy diet was assessed every 4 y, from which we calculated dietary pattern scores from the DASH diet (8 components) and the diet recommendations from the AHA 2020 Strategic Impact Goals (primary score: 5 components; secondary score: primary score plus 3 components). Pregnancy outcomes were self-reported, and we estimated the RR (95% CI) of pre-eclampsia and GHTN with log-binomial regression using generalized estimating equations to account for repeat pregnancies and adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Women had a mean (SD) age of 34.4 (34.0) y at pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia was reported in 495 (2.9%) pregnancies and GHTN in 561 (3.3%) pregnancies. The RR (95% CI) of pre-eclampsia for women in the highest quintile of the DASH was 0.65 (0.48, 0.87) compared with women in the lowest score quintile. A similar inverse trend was observed for the AHA primary (0.74; 95% CI: 0.55, 1.00) and secondary (0.81; 95% CI: 0.61, 1.07) scores comparing women in the highest versus the lowest score quintile. Neither the DASH nor the AHA scores were related to GHTN. CONCLUSIONS: Women with higher adherence to dietary recommendations for the prevention of CVD in the general population had a lower risk of pre-eclampsia-a common pregnancy complication related to higher CVD risk among women-than women with lower adherence to these recommendations.