Rising maternal mortality in Mexico linked to undetected heart disease

Rising Maternal Mortality in Mexico Linked to Undetected Heart Disease

Mexico City, September 2024—A troubling rise in maternal mortality in Mexico has been linked to undetected heart disease, according to the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). The increase is considered significant, with heart failure during pregnancy often remaining unidentified due to symptoms that mimic common pregnancy discomforts.

Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, and shortness of breath while lying down can easily be confused with typical pregnancy symptoms, making early detection challenging. This issue is not unique to Mexico but resonates globally, with a stark example provided by a recent study conducted in Nigeria, where rates of pregnancy-related heart failure are among the highest in the world.

Research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress, and published in Nature Medicine, highlights a breakthrough by the Mayo Clinic. The study showcased the effectiveness of a digital stethoscope enabled with artificial intelligence (AI). This advanced tool was instrumental in diagnosing double the cases of heart failure compared to traditional obstetric care and screening methods.

“We know that recognising this type of heart failure early is essential for the health and well-being of the mothers,” explained Dr. Demilade Adedinsewo, cardiologist at Mayo Clinic and the principal investigator of the study. “Symptoms of peripartum cardiomyopathy can progressively worsen as pregnancy advances or, more commonly, after delivery, and can threaten the mother’s life if her heart weakens too much.”

Peripartum cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease specifically related to pregnancy, can be particularly severe. Treatment depends on early diagnosis, with options ranging from medication to intensive care and even heart transplants in cases where the heart function does not stabilise with other treatments.

The study enrolled nearly 1,200 women and employed a randomized, controlled, and open-label clinical trial methodology. The AI-enabled digital stethoscope and a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) algorithm were used to detect weak cardiac function. Developed by researchers at Mayo Clinic and enhanced by Eko Health, this algorithm has already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for detecting heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Findings revealed that physicians using the AI tools were 12 times more likely to identify cases with an ejection fraction below 45%—the threshold for peripartum cardiomyopathy—compared to standard treatments. The AI-facilitated screening also identified double the cases with ejection fractions below 50%.

Dr. Adedinsewo noted, “This study provides evidence that we can better detect peripartum cardiomyopathy among women in Nigeria.” While the research focused on Nigeria, the implications are global, offering a promising solution to a shared problem faced by pregnant women worldwide.

Looking ahead, researchers aim to evaluate the usability and adoption of the AI-enabled stethoscope by healthcare professionals in Nigeria. They hope to expand this evaluation to diverse populations and healthcare settings, including Mexico, given the rising concerns there.

Funding for the clinical trial included contributions from the Mayo Clinic’s Digital Health Centers, the Community Engagement in Health Research at Mayo Clinic, the NIH-funded Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCH) programme, and the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCATS) at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic remains committed to innovating clinical practices and advancing research to improve patient care worldwide.

For more information about Mayo Clinic and its ongoing research in cardiovascular and maternal health, visit the Mayo Clinic News Network.

Source: Noah Wire Services