Peripartum cardiomyopathy

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Background

  • Uncommon cause of heart failure
  • Usually occurs in last month of pregnancy or first five months postpartum

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

  • Respiratory tract infection
  • PE
  • MI
  • Postpartum fluid overload

Cardiomyopathy

3rd Trimester/Postpartum Emergencies

Evaluation

Workup

  • [ECG]]
  • CXR
  • CBC
  • Chemistry
  • TSH
  • TTE

Diagnosis

  • Presentation similar to typical CHF
  • 4 criteria needed to meet definition for PPCM:
    • Development of heart failure in last month of pregnancy or within 5 month postpartum
    • No identifiable alternate cause of heart failure
    • No pre-existing heart disease
    • LV ejection fraction < 45%

Management

  • Treat like usual heart failure (except avoid nitroprusside and ACEI)

Disposition

Prognosis[1]

  • Mortality rate up to 10%
  • High risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies
  • Many patients recover within 3 to 6 months of disease onset

See Also

References

  1. Bhattacharyya A et Al. Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Review. Tex Heart Inst J. 2012; 39(1): 8–16.
  • Elkayam U et al. Pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy: clinical characteristics and a comparison between early and late presentation. Circulation. 2005 Apr 26; 111(16): 2050-5.