Cardio-Obstetrics (COB) Clinic

Overview

The Schulich Cardio-Obstetrics (COB) Clinic is a dedicated cardiology clinic catering to the unique needs of women in the following categories:

1. Pre-existing Heart Conditions and Pregnancy: We specialize in supporting women who have pre-existing heart conditions before pregnancy.
2. Pregnancy-Related Heart Disease: Our clinic provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for pregnant women who experience heart disease during pregnancy, delivery, or post-partum.
3. Cardiac Complications in Previous Pregnancies: We offer specialized care for women who have encountered cardiac complications during previous pregnancies.

Our clinic offers a range of services to ensure optimal care for our patients:

• Early Identification: We excel in identifying women at an earlier stage of cardiac disease or rhythm disorders, allowing for timely intervention and management.
• Peri-partum Heart Conditions: Our expert team evaluates and treats various heart conditions specific to the peri-partum period, promoting maternal well-being during and after pregnancy.
• Long-Term Follow-Up: We coordinate long-term follow-up care to ensure continuity and ongoing support for our patients.
• Multidisciplinary Approach: Our clinic facilitates access to a comprehensive team of specialists, including obstetricians, maternal fetal medicine experts, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, internal medicine physicians, endocrinologists, and medical geneticists, as required for each individual case.
• Education and Lifestyle Recommendations: We prioritize patient education, providing guidance on heart disease management throughout pregnancy and offering recommendations for lifestyle changes that can promote heart health.
• Collaboration with the DAN Women’s and Babies Program at Sunnybrook Hospital lies at the core of our approach for seamless coordination of care. Our commitment is to deliver comprehensive and personalized care to each patient we serve.

Who is at risk?

Identifying individuals at risk is crucial for predicting future atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Several risk factors that emerge during pregnancy serve as important indicators. These include:

• History of preeclampsia or eclampsia
• Small-for-gestational-age (low birth weight)
• Gestational diabetes
• Preterm delivery (<34 weeks of gestation)
• Ischemic heart disease risk
• Chronic hypertension or future diabetes risk
• Impact on future pregnancy risk

It's important to note that these risk factors can impact future pregnancy as well, underscoring the need for proactive monitoring and appropriate interventions to mitigate potential complications.

By recognizing and addressing these risk factors, we can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and promote long-term heart health.

What do we treat?

At the Sunnybrook Cardio-Obstetrics clinic, we specialize in treating a wide range of heart conditions that may arise during pregnancy in women. Our comprehensive care includes, but is not limited to:

• Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
• Acquired Heart Disease:
  - Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
  - Ischemic heart disease
  - Valve disease
  - Cardiomyopathy

• Congenital Heart disease
• Aortopathy
• Arrhythmia

Additionally, we will monitor and support women post-partum, ensuring any potential complications are identified and managed promptly. Our goal is to provide personalized care and support to promote the overall health and well-being of women during and after pregnancy.

Our care team