Core Outcome Set for Studies on Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy (COSCarP): An International Delphi Consensus Study.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Obstetrics
• Perinatal Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Inconsistent outcome reporting in cardio-obstetrics studies hinders research synthesis.
• The Core Outcome Set on Cardiac Diseases in Pregnancy (COSCarP) study addresses this critical gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a standardized core outcome set for cardio-obstetrics research through international consensus.
• To harmonize outcome reporting practices in studies involving pregnant individuals with heart conditions.

Main Methods:

• A multimethod approach was employed, including a 2-round Delphi survey, small group discussions, and a consensus meeting.
• 110 participants (health service users and professionals) from 13 countries contributed to the consensus process.
• Candidate items were derived from literature reviews and qualitative interviews.

Main Results:

• 12 core outcomes and 12 core reporting checklist items were identified for cardio-obstetrics studies.
• Key core outcomes include maternal mortality, heart failure, and perinatal loss.
• Reporting checklist items cover areas like hypertensive disorders, bleeding, and neonatal morbidity.

Conclusions:

• The COSCarP study provides a foundational set of outcomes and reporting standards for cardio-obstetrics.
• Widespread adoption of COSCarP checklists can enhance data harmonization and facilitate meta-analyses.
• Standardized reporting will improve the quality of evidence for clinical practice guidelines in cardio-obstetrics.