Abstract
Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the commonest indirect medical cause of maternal deaths worldwide, both in high-income and low and middle-income countries. To minimize the effects of CVD in pregnancy, proper risk assessment and appropriate referral is required. In Sri Lanka, cardiovascular disease complicating pregnancy is a significant cause of maternal mortality, second only to postpartum hemorrhage. Screening for CVD in pregnancy in Sri Lanka is limited to a routine clinical assessment. Evidence-based guidelines are yet to be developed, and this deficit may have resulted in a substantial underestimation of the CVD burden. This study aims to determine the burden of CVD in early pregnancy and develop a risk prediction model to be used in field pregnancy clinics in Sri Lanka to reduce CVD effects in pregnancy. Methods A prospective cohort study was carried out in the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. Following registration to the antenatal care, pregnant women fulfilling the eligibility criteria were invited to attend a special clinic at their relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area. Risk assessment was done through history and a clinical examination, and suspected/probable cases were referred for an echocardiogram by a consultant cardiologist. All the recruited participants in the first trimester were prospectively followed up and screened again between 24–28 weeks of the period of amenorrhoea (POA). Antenatal ward admissions with CVD complicating pregnancy will be extracted, and a telephone interview will be carried out between 6–12 weeks after the expected delivery date to cover postpartum morbidities. Discussion This proposed study will be the largest of its kind carried out in the local setting. The study's findings will be beneficial for policymakers to develop guidelines to reduce maternal cardiovascular disease morbidities and mortalities in Sri Lanka.
Highlights
DiscussionThis proposed study will be the largest of its kind carried out in the local setting
In 2017, an estimated 295,000 women died due to pregnancy-related complications, with 86% of these deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and south-east Asia[1]
This study was conducted as a part of large ongoing cohort study in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka, Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort (RaPCo)
Summary
The patterns and associations identified with regard to cardiovascular disease during pregnancy and its distributions among the population will give an idea about the true picture of the disease in the LMICs. As this study focuses on both prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease during pregnancy it will provide a wider understanding about risks and predictive symptoms and signs of CVD during pregnancy in Sri Lankans. This will enable development of a model for early CVD risk identification among pregnant females. Extended data for ‘Disease burden and adverse pregnancy outcomes due to cardiovascular conditions complicating pregnancy in Sri Lanka’, ‘Tools’. This project contains the following extended data:
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