Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2006 Oct;49(10):2087-2095.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy

• Yang YH
• Lee KY
• Hwang HJ
• Cho YK
• Kim BR
• Choi H
• Lee CM
• Ko JK

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To examine clinical characteristics and risk factors and to assess prognosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 10 patients with confirmed PPCM by clinical symptoms and echocardiography, who delivered between January 1995 and December 2005 at our Hospital. Clinical and serial echocardiographic data of these patients were collected.
RESULTS
Mean maternal age at the time of diagnosis was 28.8+/-3.2 years and the mean gestational age was 37(+3)+/-4 weeks. Common associated conditions were nulliparity (90%), cesarean delivery (70%), anemia (70%), preeclampsia (60%), transfusion before diagnosis (40%), twin pregnancy (30%). At the time of diagnosis, the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was 42.84+/-9.69%, fractional shortening (FS) was 23.41+/-5.49%, and left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) was 5.58+/-0.55 cm/m2. Normalization of left ventricular function occurred in 8 patients (80%). After recovery of the left ventricular function, mean EF was 61.41+/-4.21%, FS was 34.08+/-3.26%, and LVEDD was 4.68+/-0.76 cm/m2. Incidence of PPCM was 1 in 2455 pregnancies, and maternal mortality was 12.5% in 10 months follow-up.
CONCLUSION
The risk of PPCM may increase in puerperal women with rapid dramatic hemodynamic change. Echocardiography may provide significant prognostic information.

Keyword

Peripartum cardiomyopathy; Pregnancy; Heart failure; Echocardiography

MeSH Terms

Anemia
Cardiomyopathies*
Diagnosis
Echocardiography
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gestational Age
Heart Failure
Hemodynamics
Humans
Incidence
Maternal Age
Maternal Mortality
Medical Records
Parity
Peripartum Period*
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Twin
Prognosis*
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Stroke Volume
Ventricular Function, Left