Screening for Cardiovascular Disease in Pregnancy: Is There a Need?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Cardiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Maternal mortality in the U.S. is increasing, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths.
• Delayed diagnosis of CVD in pregnant women is common due to overlapping symptoms with normal pregnancy.
• Existing risk models often require a prior CVD diagnosis, missing many women who develop CVD during pregnancy or postpartum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose universal cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening for all pregnant and postpartum women.
• To identify women at high risk for CVD during the antepartum and postpartum periods.
• To enhance patient and healthcare provider education and awareness regarding CVD in pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a validated algorithm developed by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) for CVD risk stratification.
• Implementing universal screening in both antepartum and postpartum care settings.
• Stratifying patients into low or high-risk categories based on screening results.

Main Results:

• The CMQCC algorithm has demonstrated validation across diverse patient populations.
• Universal screening aims to proactively identify undiagnosed CVD risk.
• Early identification facilitates targeted interventions and management strategies.

Conclusions:

• Universal CVD screening is a critical tool to combat rising maternal mortality and morbidity.
• This approach can significantly reduce healthcare costs associated with severe maternal complications.
• Increased awareness and education are essential for effective CVD management in pregnancy and postpartum.