What this Trial Is About

This research aims to better understand the obstetrical, neonatal, and heart-related outcomes of 1000 pregnant individuals who have known heart disease. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of maternal death in the United States, especially affecting Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander populations more severely than White populations. The study focuses on evaluating how different methods of cardio-obstetrics care can improve outcomes and reduce health disparities in these high-risk groups. The study is purely observational and involves multiple cardio-obstetrics clinics across the US. It examines how the organization of cardio-obstetrics care at each site relates to patient outcomes. Key care structures being evaluated include multidisciplinary care teams, care coordinators, coordinated evaluations, team debriefings, ICU deliveries, and formal hand-offs after delivery. Data will be collected on pregnancy complications, cardiovascular events, and quality of life measures from pregnancy through one year postpartum. Participants will be followed from pregnancy through delivery and up to one year after birth. Researchers will collect information through site surveys, patient evaluations, and telephone follow-ups. Outcomes such as adverse pregnancy events and cardiovascular complications will be monitored, along with quality of life assessments. Safety and long-term health will be evaluated to identify care practices that best support pregnant individuals with heart disease and their babies.

The Heart Outcomes in Pregnancy Expectations for Mom and Baby Study