Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2025
The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
Trends in cardiovascular complications of pregnancy: A nationwide inpatient sample analysis
Eric D Warner1, Saaniya Farhan1, Matthew Bierowski1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Insights
Pregnancy is increasingly associated with serious cardiac complications, including acute coronary syndrome and stroke. Rising maternal age and comorbidities contribute to these concerning trends in cardiovascular disease during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the U.S.
- Pregnancy-induced hemodynamic changes elevate cardiac complication risk in the peripartum period.
- Improving cardiovascular outcomes in pregnant individuals is a critical healthcare focus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in cardiac complications among pregnant inpatients.
- To identify changes in the incidence of various cardiovascular conditions during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database.
- Inclusion of all inpatient hospitalizations for pregnancy and delivery.
- Examination of trends in cardiac complication rates in pregnant patients.
Main Results:
- Significant increases observed in acute coronary syndrome, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary hypertension, chronic congestive heart failure, heart transplant, aortic syndromes, stroke, and pulmonary embolism.
- While ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) rates decreased, peripartum cardiomyopathy incidence remained stable.
- These trends highlight a rise in cardiac comorbidities during pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Certain cardiac complications are alarmingly increasing during pregnancy.
- Increased maternal age and associated comorbidities are likely drivers of these adverse cardiovascular trends.
- Understanding these trends is crucial for enhancing care for high-risk pregnancies.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the United States. Physiologic stress of pregnancy can induce several hemodynamic changes that contribute to an increased risk of cardiac complications in the peripartum period. There are ongoing efforts to improve cardiovascular mortality in pregnant patients. Understanding trends in cardiovascular complications during pregnancy may provide insight into improving care for high-risk pregnancies.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database and identified all inpatient hospitalizations for pregnancy and delivery. We then analyzed trends in the rates of cardiac complications in the pregnant patient.
Results:
There are concerning increases in trends of cardiac complications and comorbidities in pregnant people including: acute coronary syndrome, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary hypertension, chronic congestive heart failure, heart transplant, aortic syndromes, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. While the rates of STEMI have decreased, the incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy has remained stable.
Conclusion:
There are concerning increases in certain cardiac complications during pregnancy. This is likely due to increasing age at the time of pregnancy and associated comorbidities.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview
01:30Pulse rhythm
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac...
01:19Mitral Valve Prolapse III: Nursing Management
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
01:28Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care