Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2006 Jan;49(1):18-23.

Clinical profiles of peripartum cardiomyopathy

• Hyung HS
• Choi SJ
• Yoo BS
• Cho MG
• Park SJ
• Park SJ
• Han KH
• Chung IB

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To analyze the clinical characteristic of peripartum cardiomyopathy.
METHODS
A retrospective review was undertaken on records of women who were diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy at Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju Christian Hospital between January 1994 and December 2004. We made criteria for its diagnosis, namely: (1) developement of heart failure in the last month of pregnancy or within 5 months after delivery, (2) absence of a determinable etiology for the cardiac failure, and (3) absence of demonstrable heart disease prior to the last month of pregnancy. (4) ejection fraction less than 45%.
RESULTS
During the research period, 8 pregnant women were documented as peripartum cardiomyopathy. All of the women undertook echocardiography. Three women were complicated with pregnancy induced hypertension. One woman was in cardiogenic shock.
CONCLUSION
Early diagnosis of the peripartum cardiomyopathy is extremely important. The echocardiography can provide helpful information on disease progression.

Keyword

Peripartum cardiomyopathy; Echocardiography

MeSH Terms

Cardiomyopathies*
Diagnosis
Disease Progression
Early Diagnosis
Echocardiography
Female
Gangwon-do
Heart Diseases
Heart Failure
Humans
Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced
Peripartum Period*
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Retrospective Studies
Shock, Cardiogenic