Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare, dilated cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction that occurs in the late pregnancy or more commonly in the early postpartum period. Risk factors include pre-eclampsia, advanced maternal age, multiple gestation. Although the complete pathogenesis is unclear, researches over the past few years suggest the importance of vasculo-hormonal pathways in women with underlying susceptibility and sarcomere gene mutation. Most of the patients will recover with adequate systolic function, although very few may go on to chronic cardiomyopathy. Other potential complications include thromboembolism and arrhythmias. METHODS This is a prospective study conducted at Kanyakumari Government Medical College between May 2019 and May 2021. 10 cases were observed and followed up. ANC cases with acute heart failure and no history of previous heart diseases were included in the study. Patients with known heart diseases were excluded from the study. RESULTS 10 cases of ANC cases were diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy with half of them having comorbidity and others were comorbid free. Diagnosis was confirmed with echocardiography and all the patients recovered with medical management. CONCLUSIONS Though peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare occurring event, incidence of 10 cases in a period of 2 years highlights the need for us to be aware of this peripartum cardiac event and have it as a differential diagnosis in the situational setting at the back of the mind. Since this is a serious medical condition that affects pregnant women, prompt and timely medical intervention will save the patient from serious life-threatening complications. KEY WORDS Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, Pregnancy, Heart Disease, Dyspnoea in Pregnancy.