Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Current Review

• Published in: Journal of Pregnancy Vol. 2010; no. 2010; pp. 13 - 17
• Main Authors: Twomley, Katie M., Wells, Gretchen L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 01.01.2010; Hindawi Puplishing Corporation; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists - therapeutic use; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Anticoagulants - therapeutic use; Cardiomyopathies - diagnosis; Cardiomyopathies - etiology; Cardiomyopathies - therapy; Cytokines - blood; Dyspnea - etiology; Edema - etiology; Electrocardiography; Female; Humans; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain - blood; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - etiology; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - therapy; Prognosis; Puerperal Disorders - diagnosis; Puerperal Disorders - etiology; Puerperal Disorders - therapy; Review; Risk Factors; Stroke Volume; Tachycardia - etiology; Troponin T - blood; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - diagnosis; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - etiology; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - therapy
• ISSN: 2090-2727; 2090-2735
• DOI: 10.1155/2010/149127

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially lethal complication of pregnancy occurring in approximately 1 : 3,000 live births in the United States although some series report a much higher incidence. African-American women are particularly at risk. Diagnosis requires symptoms of heart failure in the last month of pregnancy or within five months of delivery in the absence of recognized cardiac disease prior to pregnancy as well as objective evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. This paper provides an updated, comprehensive review of PPCM, including emerging insights into the etiology of this disorder as well as current treatment options.