Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 19, 2025
Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound 30/45MHZ System
Published on: May 5, 2018
The impact of cardiovascular diseases on maternal deaths in the Nordic countries
Lill T Nyfløt1,2, Marianne Johansen3, Ajlana Mulic-Lutvica4
1Norwegian Research center for Women's Health, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Insights
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of maternal death in Nordic countries. Increased awareness of cardiac symptoms in pregnant women is crucial for preventing future deaths.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a growing concern in maternal mortality in Nordic countries.
- This trend is linked to an increasing number of pregnancies with pre-existing or newly developed heart conditions.
- Audits are essential for identifying causes of death and improving clinical management to prevent maternal fatalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze maternal deaths in Nordic countries between 2005 and 2017.
- To identify the primary causes of maternal mortality, focusing on cardiovascular diseases.
- To evaluate the quality of clinical care and identify areas for improvement.
Main Methods:
- Utilized linked national registers to identify maternal deaths from 2005 to 2017.
- Conducted case assessments using hospital records by national audit groups.
- Classified causes of death and assessed the standard of clinical care provided.
Main Results:
- Identified 227 maternal deaths, with a mortality rate of 5.98 per 100,000 live births.
- Cardiovascular disease was the most frequent cause of death (n=36), including aortic dissection/rupture, myocardial disease, and ischemic heart disease.
- In almost 60% of cases, the cardiovascular disease was undiagnosed before death; substandard care was noted in 59% of deaths.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of maternal deaths in the Nordic region from 2005 to 2017.
- There is significant potential to reduce maternal mortality by addressing cardiovascular-related deaths.
- Enhanced recognition of cardiac symptoms in pregnant individuals is recommended to improve outcomes.
Introduction:
Cardiovascular diseases have become increasingly important as a cause of maternal death in the Nordic countries. This is likely to be associated with a rising incidence of pregnant women with congenital and acquired cardiac diseases. Through audits, we aim to prevent future maternal deaths by identifying causes of death and suboptimal factors in the clinical management.
Material And Methods:
Maternal deaths in the Nordic countries from 2005 to 2017 were identified through linked registers. The national audit groups performed case assessments based on hospital records, classified the cause of death, and evaluated the standards of clinical care provided. Key messages were prepared to improve treatment.
Results:
We identified 227 maternal deaths, giving a maternal mortality rate of 5.98 deaths per 100 000 live births. The most common cause of death was cardiovascular disease (n = 36 deaths). Aortic dissection/rupture, myocardial disease, and ischemic heart disease were the most common diagnoses. In nearly 60% of the cases, the disease was not recognized before death. In more than half of the deaths, substandard care was identified (59%). In 11 deaths (31%), improvements to care that may have made a difference to the outcome were identified.
Conclusions:
Between 2005 and 2017, cardiovascular diseases were the most common causes of maternal deaths in the Nordic countries. There appears to be a clear potential for a further reduction in these maternal deaths. Increased awareness of cardiac symptoms in pregnant women seems warranted.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:17Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
01:31Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers
01:14Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...