What is one point given for in the CARPREG criteria?

The CARPREG criteria, which stands for the Canadian Assessment of Risk in Pregnancy, is a risk assessment tool used to evaluate the likelihood of cardiovascular complications in pregnant women. Under the CARPREG criteria, certain points are assigned based on specific risk factors.

One significant point is awarded for New York Heart Association (NYHA) class greater than II or the presence of cyanosis. This factor reflects a woman’s underlying cardiac status and functional capacity. Women classified at NYHA class III or IV exhibit significant limitations in physical activity or are symptomatic even at rest, which indicates a higher risk for cardiovascular complications during pregnancy. Cyanosis suggests severe underlying heart disease, further increasing risk. Therefore, the presence of either NYHA class > II or cyanosis is a critical consideration in the assessment of risk.

While the other factors listed have their own implications in pregnancy complications, they are not part of the CARPREG criteria scoring system in the same way as the NYHA classification or cyanosis. For instance, while a history of gestational diabetes or previous preterm delivery can certainly influence pregnancy management, they do not contribute points within the framework of CARPREG’s specific cardiovascular risk assessment.