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Review
. 2024 Mar-Apr;76(2):71-78.
doi: 10.1016/j.ihj.2024.03.003. Epub 2024 Mar 18.

Bridging gaps: The urgent call for cardio-obstetrics as a subspecialty in India

Justin Paul Gnanaraj  1 , Steaphen Anne Princy  2
Affiliations
Review

Bridging gaps: The urgent call for cardio-obstetrics as a subspecialty in India

Justin Paul Gnanaraj et al. Indian Heart J. 2024 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease complicates 1-4% of pregnancies. Women with heart disease going through pregnancy are on the increase. While global maternal deaths during pregnancy are decreasing, India remains a significant contributor to maternal deaths in the world. Cardiovascular disease during pregnancy is the leading cause of maternal mortality in developed nations, and this trend is expected soon in India, with the ongoing obstetric transition. Research in developed nations indicates that a high proportion of maternal mortality related to heart disease is preventable. However, India lacks indigenous data, risk stratification tools, management guidelines, and a well-defined cardio-obstetric team concept for pregnant women with heart disease. There is a pressing need to establish national registries, develop risk stratification tools, develop and disseminate management guidelines, and create dedicated cardio-obstetric programs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of this requirement and offers solutions to bridge the existing gaps in India's maternal healthcare landscape.

Keywords: Developing nations; Maternal heart team; Maternal mortality; Pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Key pillars of cardio-obsterics care.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Constituent members of a CO team.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Jurisdiction of a CO team. [Adapted from Davis MB JACC 2023; 82 (18):1792-1803]
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Stepwise approach to develop CO in India.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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