With pregnancy comes a myriad of unpleasant side effects, from shortness of breath and increased heart rate to fatigue and dizziness. These events are widely considered nothing more than the run-of-the-mill inconveniences experienced by pregnant mothers across the world. However, they could also be signs of something much more concerning.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an uncommon, but very serious form of pregnancy-related heart failure. In the United States, the likelihood of experiencing peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is just 1 in 2,000, though it is considerably more common in other regions of the world. Ethnicity also plays a considerable role in PPCM incidence, as it impacts roughly 1 in 700 Black women.
PPCM causes the heart muscles to weaken during or immediately following pregnancy, presenting symptoms that often overlap with the typical bothers of even an ordinary pregnancy. For this reason, PPCM often goes undetected or misdiagnosed.
But with the help of emerging technological advancements, it’s becoming easier to catch PPCM early. In fact, artificial intelligence may hold the key to accurately screening those susceptible to pregnancy-related heart conditions.
Artificial Intelligence Applications in Medicine
A recent study conducted on over 1,200 participants in Nigeria, where cardiomyopathy leads to maternal mortality in 1 of 96 deliveries, showed AI-enhanced digital stethoscopes and 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) may be crucial new tools in recognizing the early stages of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD)—a telltale sign of PPCM.
In the study, the AI-enhanced digital stethoscopes detected twice as many cases of LVSD compared to the control group screened with non-AI tools, while the AI-ECG also spotted more cases than the control group. Additionally, the AI tools were 12 times more likely to identify low ejection fraction—an indicator of weak heart muscles that can lead to congestive heart failure related to pregnancy.
Promoting Cardiovascular Health Without Artificial Intelligence
As physicians, it’s key to ensure patients—pregnant patients in particular—are maintaining strong cardiovascular health. Performing high-intensity exercises while pregnant can be difficult and often times is even ill-advised. Yet, even during pregnancy, achieving optimal cardiovascular health is still relatively feasible. This can be done by performing low-impact exercises such as walking and swimming, though it is advised to closely monitor prenatal patients closely before approving any training routines.
As important as regular exercise is to cardiovascular health, a nutritious diet may be even more crucial, especially during pregnancy. Patients should be encouraged to eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals, including fruits and vegetables, while avoiding foods and drinks high in sugar and saturated fats. Moreover, patients should be advised to sleep between 7 and 9 hours per night, as adequate rest is essential to peak heart health.
Cardiovascular health is critical for everyone, but it’s especially pertinent for prenatal patients. While advances in technology have made it easier to spot pregnancy-related heart conditions, it is still key to educate patients on proper cardiovascular guidelines with hopes that diseases like PPCM can be avoided entirely.
References:
Adedinsewo, D. A., Morales-Lara, A. C., Afolabi, B. B., Kushimo, O. A., Mbakwem, A. C., Ibiyemi, K. F., Ogunmodede, J. A., Raji, H. O., Ringim, S. H., Habib, A. A., Hamza, S. M., Ogah, O. S., Obajimi, G., Saanu, O. O., Jagun, O. E., Inofomoh, F. O., Adeolu, T., Karaye, K. M., Gaya, S. A., … Carter, R. E. (2024, September 2). Artificial Intelligence guided screening for Cardiomyopathies in an obstetric population: A pragmatic randomized clinical trial. Nature News. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03243-9
Peripartum cardiomyopathy. www.heart.org. (2024, May 28). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy/what-is-cardiomyopathy-in-adults/peripartum-cardiomyopathy-ppcm
Cannon, S., Hayman, M., & Lastella, M. (2023, January 17). Pregnant women’s attitudes and beliefs towards sleep and exercise: A cross-sectional survey. Clocks & sleep. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9944079/#:~:text=It%20is%20recommended%20that%20adults,pregnancy%20%5B3%2C4%5D.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but serious form of pregnancy-related heart failure that often goes undiagnosed due to its overlap with common pregnancy symptoms. Emerging technologies, like AI-enhanced stethoscopes and ECGs, are improving early detection of PPCM, particularly in regions with higher maternal mortality rates, such as Nigeria.