Introduction The primary concern for women who have experienced peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is the safety of a subsequent pregnancy (SSP). To maximie decision-making, facilitate effective patient counselling, and ultimately improve maternal and fetal outcomes as a whole, it is critical to comprehend the outcomes of SSP in women who have previously experienced PPCM. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of SSP in women with PPCM. Methods Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect) were used to identify relevant studies prior to 17 October 2023. A total of 662 studies were reviewed. Following the abstract and full-text screenings, 18 observational studies were included, out of which 2 were deemed suitable for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results This study has a total of 487 SSPs. Although recovered left ventricular (LV) function before entering SSP has the potential to be a beneficial prognostic factor, recovered LV function still has a substantial risk of relapse. The mortality rate of PPCM in an SSP ranged from 0% to 55.5%. Persistent LV dysfunction was significantly associated with an increased mortality rate (OR 13.17; 95% CI 1.54 to 112.28; p=0.02) and lower LV ejection fraction (MD −12.88; 95% CI −21.67 to −4.09; p=0.004). Diastolic and right ventricular functions remained unchanged before SSP and at follow-up. The majority of the SSP was observed alongside hypertension, while pre-eclampsia emerged as the predominant hypertensive complication in most studies. Conclusion SSP increases the risk of relapse and mortality in women with a previous history of PPCM. Persistent LV dysfunction prior to the SSP has a higher mortality risk compared with recovered LV function. SSP was also associated with the worsening of LV echocardiography parameters.

Human sparganosis, a parasitic infection prevalent in Asia, can progress to cerebral sparganosis, a severe condition with significant neurological symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment are challenging due to its clinical similarity to other infections, highlighting the need for improved detection and management strategies. The aim of this study was to observe research trends, key contributors, gaps in the existing knowledge, diagnosis challenges, effective treatment options, and prevention strategies, providing recommendations for future research directions and clinical practice improvements on cerebral sparganosis. A bibliometric analysis was conducted by extracting 139 documents from the Scopus database in June 2024. The retrieved data were analyzed using the R package's Bibliometrix (Biblioshiny) and VOSviewer. Spanning 97 different sources, the research exhibited an annual growth rate of 2.5%. Annual scientific production revealed fluctuating research activity with peaks in 2010 and 2011 and notable citation peaks in 1996 and 2005, indicating pivotal studies that significantly influenced subsequent research. Early studies focused on diagnosis and specific parasites, while recent studies (2010–2024) have increasingly addressed clinical outcomes, treatment strategies, and advanced diagnostic techniques. Trends revealed a shift towards clinical and diagnostic advancements, with recent emphasis on diagnostic imaging, immunoassays, and the relationship between cerebral sparganosis and brain tumors. In conclusion, the studies on cerebral sparganosis underscore the potential for enhancing clinical practice by improving diagnostic accuracy, informing treatment decisions, and implementing targeted screening efforts based on epidemiology and risk factors. Recommendation to further study needs to notify the cerebral sparganosis in high-risk countries with similar socioeconomic and cultural characteristics to endemic regions, including Indonesia.

Objectives: This study aims to describe the ultrasound findings and biomarker profiles (CA-125, HE4, CEA, ADA, and IGRA) in confirmed cases of peritoneal tuberculosis (PTB) and to discuss their relevance in clinical evaluation. Methods: This is a retrospective study utilizing data from 12 female subjects with a confirmed PTB diagnosis at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and Hermina Depok Hospital between 2018 and 2023. Data were extracted from medical records. Biomarker levels were measured using standardized assays in a single accredited laboratory. Ultrasonography was performed using the Mindray Resona 7 system. Results: The mean age was 33.0 ± 9.7 years. Ultrasonography identified significant features of PTB, such as hydrosalpinx 7 (58.3%), adhesions 6 (50%), ascites 7 (58.3%), cystic/mass-like lesions 4 (33.3%), and involvement of the rectosigmoid colon and small bowel 2 (16.6%). CA-125 levels were elevated (mean: 484.25 U/mL), and HE4 was high in 41.6% of cases (mean: 66.8 pmol/L). CEA levels remained low (mean: 1.725 ng/mL), and ADA levels were elevated in all patients (mean: 45.8 U/L). IGRA testing yielded a 75% positivity rate, with one patient converting from negative to positive after a month. Conclusions: Ultrasound remains a valuable imaging modality for identifying characteristic features of PTB, particularly hydrosalpinx and ascites. Elevated CA-125 and ADA, alongside IGRA results, may support clinical suspicion and help guide diagnosis in settings where invasive procedures are limited.

Introduction: Recent studies have highlighted the presence of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in a substantial proportion of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), with evidence suggesting that RVD is associated with worse outcomes and a lower likelihood of left ventricular (LV) recovery. This study aims to comprehensively assess the pooled prevalence, associated outcomes and LV recovery of RVD in PPCM. Methods: PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect were used to identify relevant literature prior to 19 January 2025. Statistical analysis was conducted using RStudio. All meta-analyses were performed using random effects, with subsequent subgroup analysis and univariate meta-regression conducted for prevalence meta-analysis. Results: The pooled prevalence of RVD in PPCM was 0.48 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.59; I² 95.3%) across 14 studies (1385 patients). RVD was diagnosed using multimodality imaging (e.g., echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging), with diagnostic criteria defined in the original studies. Meta-regression showed a decreasing trend in RVD prevalence in more recent publications (p=0.03), with variability based on study design, location and diagnostic modality on subgroup analysis. Patients with RVD had a significantly higher risk of composite adverse outcomes (including death, LV assist device implantation, heart transplantation or the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; hazard ratio 2.71; 95% CI 1.08 to 6.84; p=0.04; three studies) and heart transplantation (risk ratio (RR) 4.71; 95% CI 1.82 to 12.20; p<0.01; two studies). Additionally, RVD was associated with a lower baseline LV ejection fraction (mean difference −10.94; 95% CI −14.80 to −7.08; p<0.01; six studies) and an increased risk of unrecovered LV function (RR 1.62; 95% CI 1.25 to 2.11; p<0.01; four studies). Conclusion: RVD occurs in nearly half of patients with PPCM and is associated with a poor prognosis. It may represent a crucial marker for prognostic stratification, particularly for the risk of unrecovered LV function. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42025626739.