Buber, Jonathan

Abstract Background Despite advancements in care, pregnant individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) face disproportionately high risks. Objectives To address these challenges, a national consortium was established to improve maternal outcomes in CHD through multidisciplinary collaboration and patient engagement. Study design As part of a 2.5‐year multi‐phase consortium initiative, an in‐person research summit followed by three virtual focus groups (Project PHASE 3) was conducted with patients, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and policy representatives. Qualitative data were collected, and reflexive thematic analysis was performed to identify shared priorities. Results A total of 48 individuals participated in the in‐person meeting, including 18 patients (83% female; 11% Black/African American, 17% Asian, 11% Hispanic, 61% White) and 30 clinicians/researchers. An additional 19 patients (100% female; 32% rural/non‐urban; 16% Black/African American, 10% Hispanic, 74% White) participated in virtual focus groups. Key priorities identified included improved patient–healthcare provider communication, expanded access to multidisciplinary and adult CHD‐specialized care, and greater inclusion of patient voices in reproductive planning and research. Focus groups underscored racial disparities in care, limited CHD education for patients of color, and the need for culturally tailored resources. Participants emphasized the importance of representative research cohorts, integration of genetic counseling, and dissemination of research in accessible, plain‐language formats. Conclusions Findings demonstrate the value of integrating patient expertise and partnership in shaping cardio‐obstetric research, care models, and education. Addressing maternal health concerns in CHD research requires both structural changes and community‐driven, inclusive research strategies.

Background In Fontan patients with atrial arrhythmias (AA), non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants(NOACs) have a class III recommendation according to the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES)/Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) guideline in 2014, due to lack of data on outcomes as opposed to evidence of harm. To address this gap in data, we investigated the safety and efficacy of NOACs in adults with a Fontan circulation in a worldwide study. Methods This is an international multicentre prospective cohort study, using data from the NOTE ( n on-vitamin K antagonist o ral anticoagulants for t hrombo e mbolic prevention in patients with congenital heart disease) registry. The study population comprised consecutive adults with a Fontan circulation using NOACs. Follow-up took place at 6 months and yearly thereafter. The primary endpoints were thromboembolism and major bleeding. Secondary endpoint was minor bleeding. Results From April 2014 onward, 74 patients (mean age 32±10 years (range 18–68), 54% male) with a Fontan circulation using NOACs were included. During a median follow-up of 1.2 (IQR 0.8–2.0) years, three thromboembolic events (2.9 per 100 patient-years (95% CI 0.7 to 7.6)) and three major bleedings (2.9 per 100 patient-years (95% CI 0.7 to 7.6)) occurred in five atriopulmonary Fontan and one total cavopulmonary connection Fontan patients with AA. Fifteen patients experienced minor bleeding episodes (15.8 per 100 patient-years (95% CI 9.1 to 25.2)). In patients (n=37) using vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) prior to the initiation of NOAC, annual incidence of historical thromboembolic events and major bleeding were 2.4% (95% CI 0.4% to 7.4%) (n = 2) and 1.2% (95% CI 0.7% to 5.1%) (n = 1), respectively. Conclusions In this review of the largest Fontan cohort using NOACs with prospective follow-up, NOACs appear to be well tolerated and their efficacy and safety during short-term follow-up seem comparable to VKAs. Longer term data are required to confirm these promising short-term results.

Background—Women with congenital long-QT syndrome experience an increased risk for cardiac events after the onset of adolescence that is more pronounced among carriers of the LQT2 genotype. We hypothesized that the hormonal changes associated with menopause may affect clinical risk in this population.Methods and Results—We used a repeated-events analysis to evaluate the risk for recurrent syncope during the menopause transition and postmenopausal periods (5 years before and after the age at onset of menopause, respectively) among 282 LQT1 (n=151) and LQT2 (n=131) women enrolled in the Long-QT Syndrome Registry. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk for recurrent syncope (n=150) among LQT2 women was significantly increased during both menopause transition (hazard ratio, 3.38;P=0.005) and the postmenopausal period (hazard ratio, 8.10;P<0.001) compared with the reproductive period. The risk increase was evident among women who did or did not receive estrogen therapy. In contrast, among LQT1 women, the onset of menopause was associated with a reduction in the risk for recurrent syncope (hazard ratio, 0.19;P=0.05;P=0.02 for genotype-by-menopause interaction). Only 22 women (8%) experienced aborted cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death during follow-up. The frequency of aborted cardiac arrest/sudden cardiac death showed a similar genotype-specific association with the onset of menopause.Conclusions—The onset of menopause is associated with a significant increase in the risk of cardiac events (dominated by recurrent episodes of syncope) in LQT2 women, suggesting that careful follow-up and continued long-term therapy are warranted in this population.