2018 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy

Levels of Evidence Supporting American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology Guidelines, 2008-2018

Importance

Clinical decisions are ideally based on evidence generated from multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating clinical outcomes, but historically, few clinical guideline recommendations have been based entirely on this type of evidence.

Objective

To determine the class and level of evidence (LOE) supporting current major cardiovascular society guideline recommendations, and changes in LOE over time.

Data Sources

Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) clinical guideline documents (2008-2018), as identified on cardiovascular society websites, and immediate predecessors to these guideline documents (1999-2014), as referenced in current guideline documents.

Study Selection

Comprehensive guideline documents including recommendations organized by class and LOE.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The number of recommendations and the distribution of LOE (A [supported by data from multiple RCTs or a single, large RCT], B [supported by data from observational studies or a single RCT], and C [supported by expert opinion only]) were determined for each guideline document.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The proportion of guideline recommendations supported by evidence from multiple RCTs (LOE A).

Results

Across 26 current ACC/AHA guidelines (2930 recommendations; median, 121 recommendations per guideline [25th-75th percentiles, 76-155]), 248 recommendations (8.5%) were classified as LOE A, 1465 (50.0%) as LOE B, and 1217 (41.5%) as LOE C. The median proportion of LOE A recommendations was 7.9% (25th-75th percentiles, 0.9%-15.2%). Across 25 current ESC guideline documents (3399 recommendations; median, 130 recommendations per guideline [25th-75th percentiles, 111-154]), 484 recommendations (14.2%) were classified as LOE A, 1053 (31.0%) as LOE B, and 1862 (54.8%) as LOE C. When comparing current guidelines with prior versions, the proportion of recommendations that were LOE A did not increase in either ACC/AHA (median, 9.0% [current] vs 11.7% [prior]) or ESC guidelines (median, 15.1% [current] vs 17.6% [prior]).

Conclusions and Relevance

Among recommendations in major cardiovascular society guidelines, only a small percentage were supported by evidence from multiple RCTs or a single, large RCT. This pattern does not appear to have meaningfully improved from 2008 to 2018.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Current Options for Treatment and Cardiovascular Support

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of acute heart failure but the major cause of all deaths in pregnant patients with heart failure. Improved survival rates in recent years, however, emphasize the importance of early recognition and initiation of heart failure treatment. This article, therefore, attempts to raise awareness among cardiac and obstetric anesthesiologists as well as intensivists of this often fatal diagnosis. This review summarizes theories of the pathophysiology and outcome of peripartum cardiomyopathy. Based on the most recent literature, it further outlines diagnostic criteria and treatment options including medical management, mechanical circulatory support devices, and heart transplantation. Earlier recognition of this rare condition and a new generation of mechanical circulatory devices has contributed to the improved outcome. More frequently, patients in cardiogenic shock who fail medical management are successfully bridged to recovery on extracorporeal circulatory devices or survive with a long-lasting implantable ventricular assist device. The outcome of transplanted patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy, however, is worse compared to other recipients of heart transplants and warrants further investigation in the future.

Management of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Data concerning idiopathic recurrent pericarditis in pregnancy are scarce.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the management and outcome of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis during pregnancy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twenty-one pregnancies were evaluated in fourteen women with a history of recurrent idiopathic pericarditis (mean maternal age 31.5 years, mean gestational age 39.0 weeks), and subdivided in 2 cohorts: eight pregnancies were analyzed retrospectively (2002-2010), thirteen (2011-2017) prospectively and followed according a predefined management protocol. Ten pregnancies were uneventful, three ended in spontaneous early abortion, one fetal death occurred at 19 weeks. Recurrences of pericarditis occurred in eight and were treated by adding NSAIDs in two cases; in five cases the dose of corticosteroids was increased and in two cases aspirin was started/increased; paracetamol was always allowed. Colchicine was used in two cases in the prospective cohort. HELLP syndrome occurred in one patient, which resolved after delivery, and one patient experienced arterial hypertension and elevated transaminase. All infants had a good outcome (mean birth weight 3114 g, 10 males). Birth weight was significantly lower in the retrospective cohort (respectively 2806 g vs. 3320 g, p-value 0.017) in which higher doses of corticosteroids were used (median dose respectively 10.0 mg vs. 2.5 mg, p-value 0.048). Five recurrences of pericarditis occurred after delivery, easily treated with standard therapy.

CONCLUSION

General outcomes of pregnancy in patients with idiopathic recurrent pericarditis is good, especially when patients are carefully followed by multidisciplinary teams according to standardized protocols.

What's new in the ESC 2018 guidelines for arterial hypertension : The ten most important messages

The new guidelines on hypertension of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2018 have refined the treatment cut-offs and therapy decisions in adults. This review highlights important recommendations of the guidelines and also on the situation of hypertension in Austria. The general treatment targets of blood pressure have been lowered to at least 130/80 mmHg for most patients. The definition of hypertension is specified as a repeated systolic blood pressure in the office of ≥140 and or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg. For home blood pressure monitoring, an average value of ≥135/85 mmHg is now defined as hypertension. Ambulatory 24h-blood pressure measurement is recommended for diagnosis of hypertension and to demask lack of nocturnal blood pressure dipping. Whether drug treatment should be initiated immediately or after a delay with lifestyle intervention is focused on the individual high or low cardiovascular risk of the patients and the degree of hypertension. For most patients a combination therapy with single pill is now recommended as initial therapy for hypertension from the start. The salt consumption should be reduced in the majority of patients. The new guidelines have clarified the treatment of hypertension in different comorbidities.

Brain natriuretic peptide in pregnant women with heart disease

Background

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels were prospectively studied in pregnant women with heart disease.

Methods

Fifty pregnant women with heart disease and 25 controls were evaluated at 24 weeks or under, 30-32 weeks, 34 weeks or more of gestation, and 6 weeks postpartum. Adverse maternal cardiac events were hospitalization for worsening heart failure, stroke, and death.

Results

Thirty-eight (76%) women had rheumatic heart disease. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels were (in cases and controls) 118.3 ± 46.5 pg/ml and 66.3 ± 15.9 pg/ml (at 24 weeks or under), 124.8 ± 30.4 pg/ml and 68.4 ± 16.5 pg/ml (30-32 weeks), 135.8 ± 34.9 pg/ml and 68.6 ± 15.6 pg/ml (34 weeks or more), and 110.1 ± 21.9 pg/ml and 65.0 ± 16.1 pg/ml (6 weeks postpartum) (p = .0001). Eighteen women had adverse events. Of these, only 1 had a level less than 100 pg/ml, 12 were between 100 and 200 pg/ml, and 5 more than 200 pg/ml.

Conclusions

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels were higher in women with heart disease at all periods of gestation as well as six weeks postpartum. No woman with a plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels of 98 pg/ml or less had an adverse event.

Addressing maternal mortality: the pregnant cardiac patient

Cardiac disease in pregnancy is the number one indirect cause of maternal mortality in the United States. We propose a triad solution that includes universal screening for cardiovascular disease in pregnancy and postpartum women, patient education, and institution of a multidisciplinary cardiac team. Additionally, we emphasize essential elements to maximize care for the pregnant cardiac patient based on our experience at our institution in Bronx, NY.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare, often dilated, cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction that presents in late pregnancy or, more commonly, the early postpartum period. Although the condition is prevalent worldwide, women with black ancestry seem to be at greatest risk, and the condition has a particularly high incidence in Nigeria and Haiti. Other risk factors include pre-eclampsia, advanced maternal age, and multiple gestation pregnancy. Although the complete pathophysiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy remains unclear, research over the past decade suggests the importance of vasculo-hormonal pathways in women with underlying susceptibility. At least some women with the condition harbor an underlying sarcomere gene mutation. More than half of affected women recover systolic function, although some are left with a chronic cardiomyopathy, and a minority requires mechanical support or cardiac transplantation (or both). Other potential complications include thromboembolism and arrhythmia. Currently, management entails standard treatments for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, with attention to minimizing potential adverse effects on the fetus in women who are still pregnant. Bromocriptine is one potential disease specific treatment under investigation. In this review, we summarize the current literature on peripartum cardiomyopathy, as well as gaps in the understanding of this condition and future research directions.

Is the impact of conventional risk factors the same in men and women? Plea for a more gender-specific approach

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women in developed countries. The traditional modifiable risk factors are able to explain the majority of CVD mortality. The aim of this review is to analyze gender-specific aspects of major conventional cardiovascular risk factors and to assess whether they have the same impact on CVD in women. Cigarette smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of cardiovascular morbidity and premature death worldwide. Women smoke less than men; however, smoking seems to be more harmful in women, particularly in oral contraceptive users. Obesity in the general population is more prevalent in women. Visceral adiposity is associated with insulin resistance and a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Life expectancy in female diabetic patients is shorter than in men with diabetes; women with diabetes are also at higher risk of developing cardiovascular events. Changes of main lipid parameters in women are frequently associated with their hormonal status and/or hormonal treatment. Hypertension is highly prevalent in post-menopausal women and carries a higher risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy, which, together with a greater increase in vascular and myocardial stiffness, results in a higher incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and a higher risk of developing stroke. The risk of abdominal aortic rupture is substantially higher in women. In conclusion, smoking, diabetes and hypertension seem to be more harmful in women. Therefore, the question is whether there should not be lower thresholds for initiating drug treatment in women with diabetes and hypertension.

Cardiomyopathies and Congenital Heart Disease in Pregnancy

Pregnancy-associated diseases of the cardiovascular system occur in up to 10% of all pregnancies and the incidence is increasing. Besides congenital heart disease or pre-existing cardiomyopathy in the mother, the clinical focus has moved especially to peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) because of the condition's dramatic clinical course and the identification of the underlying mechanisms. This review article concentrates therefore on PPCM, which occurs either in the last month of pregnancy or in the first 6 months following delivery in women with previously healthy hearts. The global incidence is estimated today at roughly 1 : 1000 pregnancies. The condition is heterogeneous, ranging from mild disease to severe acute heart failure with cardiogenic shock and sudden cardiac death of the mother. Important risk factors are pregnancy-associated hypertensive complications, multiple pregnancy and greater maternal age. The pathogenesis comprises cleavage, induced by increased oxidative stress, of the lactation hormone prolactin into a toxic hormone fragment that damages blood vessels, known as the 16-kDalton protein fragment. The lactation-blocking drug bromocriptine prevents prolactin release and promotes healing of PPCM in combination with pharmacological heart failure therapy; it appears to prevent recurrence in subsequent pregnancies. Uncomplicated pregnancy is possible in most patients with congenital heart disease. The foetal complications include an increased abortion rate, prematurity and smallness for gestational age, as well as an increased risk of cardiac malformations. The maternal risk comprises mainly arrhythmias, progressive heart failure and thrombembolic complications, with the risk of vessel dissection with a low mortality risk of < 1% in the case of aortopathies. Individual risk assessment and corresponding close monitoring of the pregnancy are required.

Ischaemic heart disease and pregnancy

Although ischaemic heart disease is currently rarely encountered in pregnancy, occurring between 2.8 and 6.2 per 100 000 deliveries, it is becoming more common as women delay becoming pregnant until later life, when medical comorbidities are more common, and because of the higher prevalence of obesity in the pregnant population. In addition, chronic inflammatory diseases, which are more common in women, may contribute to greater rates of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Pregnancy itself seems to be a risk factor for AMI, although the exact mechanisms are not clear. AMI in pregnancy should be investigated in the same manner as in the non-pregnant population, not allowing for delays, with investigations being conducted as they would outside of pregnancy. Maternal morbidity following AMI is high as a result of increased rates of heart failure, arrhythmia and cardiogenic shock. Delivery in women with history of AMI should be typically guided by obstetric indications not cardiac ones.

State of the Art Management of Mechanical Heart Valves During Pregnancy

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

To review the management of women with mechanical heart valves during pregnancy, from preconception counseling through delivery with a summary of the latest guidelines.

RECENT FINDINGS

The hypercoagulability of pregnancy combined with the imperfect choices of anticoagulant agents contribute to a high risk of complications in pregnant women with mechanical heart valves. Valve thrombosis remains a major concern, much of which occurs during the first trimester transition to heparin-based products. The safest method of anticoagulation, with the best balance of maternal and fetal risk, is use of low-dose vitamin K antagonists, but only if therapeutic anticoagulation can be achieved with warfarin doses of ≤ 5 mg/day. Management of mechanical heart valves in pregnancy remains fraught with difficult decisions involving balancing of maternal and fetal risks as well as a high risk of maternal and fetal complications. Preconception counseling and planning is imperative. A risk-benefit discussion with the patient will help guide the choice of anticoagulation and outline the plan for safe delivery options. A multidisciplinary approach to management is advisable with close follow-up and care in a tertiary center.