American Heart Month: Checklists for Triage and Work-up of Patients with Symptoms Suggestive of Cardiovascular Disease in Pregnancy and Postpartum
Mon Feb 02 2026
In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, we launch a three-part series in recognition of American Heart Month focused on Patient Safety and Quality (PSQI) tools that support standardized, evidence-based cardiovascular care across pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Dr. Melissa Spiel is joined by Dr. Andrew Combs, former Chair of the SMFM Patient Safety and Quality Committee and one of the authors of the SMFM Cardiovascular Symptom Checklist, to discuss a concise, one-page tool designed to guide systematic triage of cardiovascular symptoms in pregnant and postpartum patients. The conversation highlights how structured symptom assessment can help distinguish physiologic findings from those warranting further evaluation, reduce missed diagnoses, and promote consistency across care settings.
This episode is intended for maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists and obstetric clinicians involved in outpatient care, phone triage, urgent care, and emergency settings. A link to the checklist can be found below and is available on the SMFM website under Clinical Guidance → Patient Safety and Quality.
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Checklists for triage and work-up of persons with symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy and postpartum - SMFM Publications and Clinical Guidelines
Disclaimer: "The Public Health System Components: Clinicians who are related to Maternal-Fetal Medicine program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) totaling $1,278,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of nor endorsement, by CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government."
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In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, we launch a three-part series in recognition of American Heart Month focused on Patient Safety and Quality (PSQI) tools that support standardized, evidence-based cardiovascular care across pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr. Melissa Spiel is joined by Dr. Andrew Combs, former Chair of the SMFM Patient Safety and Quality Committee and one of the authors of the SMFM Cardiovascular Symptom Checklist, to discuss a concise, one-page tool designed to guide systematic triage of cardiovascular symptoms in pregnant and postpartum patients. The conversation highlights how structured symptom assessment can help distinguish physiologic findings from those warranting further evaluation, reduce missed diagnoses, and promote consistency across care settings. This episode is intended for maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists and obstetric clinicians involved in outpatient care, phone triage, urgent care, and emergency settings. A link to the checklist can be found below and is available on the SMFM website under Clinical Guidance → Patient Safety and Quality. Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Checklists for triage and work-up of persons with symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy and postpartum - SMFM Publications and Clinical Guidelines Disclaimer: "The Public Health System Components: Clinicians who are related to Maternal-Fetal Medicine program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) totaling $1,278,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of nor endorsement, by CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government."