Focused cardiac ultrasound in pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Maternal Health
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Background:

• Cardiac disease in pregnancy is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide.
• Rheumatic heart disease is the most common cause in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), linked to adverse maternal outcomes.
• Delayed diagnosis of cardiac disease during pregnancy exacerbates risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FOCUS) for early and accurate diagnosis of cardiac disease in pregnancy.
• To explore how FOCUS can improve management and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FOCUS) as a point-of-care diagnostic tool.
• Integrating FOCUS data with clinical examination and history.
• Reviewing existing evidence on FOCUS utility in critical care and rheumatic heart disease surveillance.

Main Results:

• Echocardiography is the primary diagnostic tool, but clinical diagnosis is challenging due to overlapping symptoms.
• FOCUS provides supplemental data, aiding early diagnosis and management in various medical settings.
• FOCUS has shown utility in rheumatic heart disease surveillance in LMICs.

Conclusions:

• Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FOCUS) may enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis of cardiac disease in pregnancy.
• Implementing FOCUS has the potential to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries.
• Prompt recognition and treatment, facilitated by tools like FOCUS, are crucial for improving maternal outcomes.