Table 1 Papers included in systematic review of MDTs for management of pre-existing diabetes or cardiac disease

Abdin S. (2006) [25] (UK)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Experience of a specialist tertiary referral unit and recommendations for organisational management.

Arafeh J.M. and Baird S.M. (2006) [26] (USA)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Review of the management of women with cardiac disease throughout pregnancy.

Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health. (2007) [5] (UK)

National enquiry Level 3

Diabetes

Findings of a national enquiry on pregnancy in women with type 1 & 2 diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes) in England, Wales & Northern Ireland which included; a survey of diabetes maternity services of women with type 1 & 2 diabetes, a descriptive study of 3830 pregnancies, a national confidential enquiry reviewing demographic, social and lifestyle factors, and clinical care in 422 pregnancies.

Curtis S.L. et al. (2009) [27] (UK)

Retrospective study Level 3

Cardiac

Describes experience at one tertiary referral unit of management of heart disease in pregnancy, including; adverse events, adherence to guidelines, and areas of suboptimal management. 177 pregnancies in 155 women were included.

Dob D.P. and Yentis S.M. (2006) [28] (UK)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Obstetric anaesthetist guide to the management of pregnant women with congenital heart disease and own experience in a tertiary referral unit over 10 years.

Greutmann M.K. et al. (2010) [29] (UK)

Retrospective study Level 3

Cardiac

Retrospective cohort study of the outcomes 0f 76 pregnancies in 47 women, with congenital heart disease and residual haemodynamic right outflow tract lesions, attending one tertiary referral unit.

Herrey A. and Nelson-Piercy C. (2010) [30] (UK)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Review of the management of women with cardiac disease throughout pregnancy.

Kafka H. et al. (2006). [31] (UK & Canadian)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Review of the management of women with cardiac disease throughout pregnancy, including; the effects of pregnancy on the circulation system, the risks and care of the woman and an appendix describing the team approach.

McElduff A. et al. (2005) [32] (Australian)

National guidance/consensus opinion Level 4

Diabetes

The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society consensus guidelines for the management of type 1 & 2 diabetes in relation to pregnancy.

National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (2008) [9] (UK)

National guidance Level 3

Diabetes

Management of diabetes and its complications from pre-conception to the postnatal period

Pieper P.G. (2012) [33] (Netherlands)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Review of the management of women with cardiac disease throughout pregnancy and delivery. Illustrates complications that can arise unexpectedly.

Ray P. et al. (2004) [34] (UK)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Review of the most common causes of cardiac disease and the management of women with cardiac disease in pregnancy.

Steer et al. [41]

Consensus statement Level 4

Cardiac

Consensus views arising from a study group; Heart Disease and pregnancy including; antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care.

Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. (2011) [3] (UK)

Professional body guidance Level 4

Cardiac

Cardiac disease and pregnancy, Good Practice guidance to provide a summary of expert opinion on the general principles of the management of cardiac disease pre-conception, antenatally, intrapartum and postnatally.

Roberts R. and Ketchell A. (2012) [35] (UK)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Review the assessment, management and care of women with cardiac problems, with a focus on those who have or develop mitral valve stenosis in pregnancy.

Tan JY-L. (2010) [36] (Singapore)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Review of the management of women with cardiac disease throughout pregnancy.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) (2011) [7]

Guidelines Level 4

Cardiac

ESC Guidelines on the management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy. Members of the task force are selected experts in the field from across Europe.

Tieu J. et al. (2011) [37] (Australia)

Cochrane review Level 3

Diabetes

Cochrane review of preconception care for the diabetic women for improving maternal and infant health. The review included one trial (involving 53 women) which did not report on the pre-specified outcomes of the review.

Uebing A. et al. (2006) [38] (UK)

Opinion paper Level 4

Cardiac

Review of the management of women with cardiac disease throughout pregnancy, birth and postnatally and the risks.