Peripartum heart failure in Finland: A population‐based record linkage study

Abstract Aims Heart failure in late pregnancy and the postpartum period (HFPP) is a rare but potentially life‐threatening condition, with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) being the most common subtype. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the prevalence of HFPP in the Finnish population an...

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Main Authors: Antti M. Puhakka, Georg Macharey, Volker Ziller, Mika Gissler, Aydin Tekay, Corinna Keil, Denise Hilfiker‐Kleiner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-12-01
Series:ESC Heart Failure
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.14996
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author Antti M. Puhakka
Georg Macharey
Volker Ziller
Mika Gissler
Aydin Tekay
Corinna Keil
Denise Hilfiker‐Kleiner
author_facet Antti M. Puhakka
Georg Macharey
Volker Ziller
Mika Gissler
Aydin Tekay
Corinna Keil
Denise Hilfiker‐Kleiner
author_sort Antti M. Puhakka
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Aims Heart failure in late pregnancy and the postpartum period (HFPP) is a rare but potentially life‐threatening condition, with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) being the most common subtype. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the prevalence of HFPP in the Finnish population and identify the underlying risk factors associated with its occurrence. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from the Finnish Medical Birth Register and the Finnish Care Register for Health Care, covering 1996 to 2021. The dataset comprised 1 387 457 deliveries. HFPP cases were identified based on specific ICD‐10 codes. To ensure the accuracy of our findings, we excluded cases with pre‐existing cardiomyopathies and other significant cardiac diseases diagnosed before pregnancy. We employed logistic regression models to evaluate the associations between maternal factors and the incidence of HFPP. Results We identified 159 cases of HFPP, resulting in an incidence rate of 11.5 per 100 000 deliveries. This incidence is comparable with rates reported in other Scandinavian countries and lower than those observed in Germany. Consistent with findings from European cohorts, our study confirmed that pregnancy‐associated hypertensive disorders, particularly preeclampsia, as well as complications such as preterm delivery, twin pregnancy and elective caesarean section, are substantial risk factors for HFPP. These results support previous research linking angiogenic imbalance to the pathogenesis of PPCM. Significant risk factors for HFPP included maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index ≥35 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–3.25, P = 0.003], history of maternal hypertensive disorder (aOR 2.44, 95% CI 1.22–4.88, P = 0.012), gestational hypertension without significant proteinuria (aOR 2.14, 95% CI 1.27–3.61, P = 0.004), preeclampsia (aOR 2.43, 95% CI 1.39–4.23, P = 0.002), type 1 or type 2 diabetes (aOR 3.27, 95% CI 1.66–6.45, P < 0.001) and twin pregnancy (aOR 2.74, 95% CI 1.37–5.49, P = 0.005). Additionally, extensive prepartum [odds ratio (OR) 2.86, 95% CI 1.18–6.98, P = 0.018] and postpartum blood loss (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.44–5.02, P = 0.001) and maternal mental disorders (OR 7.39, 95% CI 4.10–13.31, P < 0.001) were significantly more common among HFPP patients. Conclusions The incidence of HFPP among women in Finland from 1996 to 2021 was low. HFPP exhibited a strong association with several risk factors, including preeclampsia, obesity, preterm delivery, twin pregnancy, elective caesarean section, multifoetal births, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, significant prepartum and postpartum blood loss and maternal mental health disorders. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions and careful monitoring in high‐risk groups to mitigate the impact of HFPP on maternal health.
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spelling doaj-art-8761448a346d4d779a7f6573ebb382c22025-08-20T01:54:57ZengWileyESC Heart Failure2055-58222024-12-011164277428410.1002/ehf2.14996Peripartum heart failure in Finland: A population‐based record linkage studyAntti M. Puhakka0Georg Macharey1Volker Ziller2Mika Gissler3Aydin Tekay4Corinna Keil5Denise Hilfiker‐Kleiner6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki FinlandDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki FinlandClinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Endocrinology, Reproductive Medicine and Osteology University Hospital Gießen and Marburg, Philipps University Marburg Marburg GermanyDepartment of Knowledge Brokers Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) Helsinki FinlandDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki FinlandDepartment of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics University Hospital Gießen and Marburg, Philipps University Marburg Marburg GermanyFaculty of Medicine Baldingerstraße Philipps‐University Marburg Marburg GermanyAbstract Aims Heart failure in late pregnancy and the postpartum period (HFPP) is a rare but potentially life‐threatening condition, with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) being the most common subtype. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the prevalence of HFPP in the Finnish population and identify the underlying risk factors associated with its occurrence. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from the Finnish Medical Birth Register and the Finnish Care Register for Health Care, covering 1996 to 2021. The dataset comprised 1 387 457 deliveries. HFPP cases were identified based on specific ICD‐10 codes. To ensure the accuracy of our findings, we excluded cases with pre‐existing cardiomyopathies and other significant cardiac diseases diagnosed before pregnancy. We employed logistic regression models to evaluate the associations between maternal factors and the incidence of HFPP. Results We identified 159 cases of HFPP, resulting in an incidence rate of 11.5 per 100 000 deliveries. This incidence is comparable with rates reported in other Scandinavian countries and lower than those observed in Germany. Consistent with findings from European cohorts, our study confirmed that pregnancy‐associated hypertensive disorders, particularly preeclampsia, as well as complications such as preterm delivery, twin pregnancy and elective caesarean section, are substantial risk factors for HFPP. These results support previous research linking angiogenic imbalance to the pathogenesis of PPCM. Significant risk factors for HFPP included maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index ≥35 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–3.25, P = 0.003], history of maternal hypertensive disorder (aOR 2.44, 95% CI 1.22–4.88, P = 0.012), gestational hypertension without significant proteinuria (aOR 2.14, 95% CI 1.27–3.61, P = 0.004), preeclampsia (aOR 2.43, 95% CI 1.39–4.23, P = 0.002), type 1 or type 2 diabetes (aOR 3.27, 95% CI 1.66–6.45, P < 0.001) and twin pregnancy (aOR 2.74, 95% CI 1.37–5.49, P = 0.005). Additionally, extensive prepartum [odds ratio (OR) 2.86, 95% CI 1.18–6.98, P = 0.018] and postpartum blood loss (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.44–5.02, P = 0.001) and maternal mental disorders (OR 7.39, 95% CI 4.10–13.31, P < 0.001) were significantly more common among HFPP patients. Conclusions The incidence of HFPP among women in Finland from 1996 to 2021 was low. HFPP exhibited a strong association with several risk factors, including preeclampsia, obesity, preterm delivery, twin pregnancy, elective caesarean section, multifoetal births, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, significant prepartum and postpartum blood loss and maternal mental health disorders. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions and careful monitoring in high‐risk groups to mitigate the impact of HFPP on maternal health.https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.14996peripartum cardiomyopathyheart failurerisk factorspregnancyFinland
spellingShingle Antti M. Puhakka
Georg Macharey
Volker Ziller
Mika Gissler
Aydin Tekay
Corinna Keil
Denise Hilfiker‐Kleiner
Peripartum heart failure in Finland: A population‐based record linkage study
ESC Heart Failure
peripartum cardiomyopathy
heart failure
risk factors
pregnancy
Finland
title Peripartum heart failure in Finland: A population‐based record linkage study
title_full Peripartum heart failure in Finland: A population‐based record linkage study
title_fullStr Peripartum heart failure in Finland: A population‐based record linkage study
title_full_unstemmed Peripartum heart failure in Finland: A population‐based record linkage study
title_short Peripartum heart failure in Finland: A population‐based record linkage study
title_sort peripartum heart failure in finland a population based record linkage study
topic peripartum cardiomyopathy
heart failure
risk factors
pregnancy
Finland
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.14996
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