Peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of dilated cardiomyopathythat presents in the third trimesterof pregnancyor in the early post partumperiod.

As with other forms of dilated cardiomyopathy, postpartum cardiomyopathy involves deterioration of the left ventricularejection fractionwith associated congestive heart failureand increased risk of atrial and ventricular arrhythmiasand even sudden cardiac death.

The etiology of postpartum cardiomyopathy is unknown.

Risk factors

The incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy is increased in women over the age of 30, in twin pregnancies, in multiparous women, and in african americans.

Prognosis

About 50 to 60 percent of women with postpartium cardiomyopathy have improvement or total recovery in their left ventricular function within 6 months of diagnosis. The remainder tend to have either stabilization of their ventricular function or worsening requiring cardiac transplantation.¹

References

1. Ravikishore AG, Kaul UA, Sethi KK, Khalilullah M. Peripartum cardiomyopathy: prognostic variables at initial evaluation. Int J Cardiol. 1991 Sep;32(3):377-80. (Medline abstract)

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It uses material from the Wikipedia article Peripartum cardiomyopathy.