Readability of Online Patient Education Materials for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a type of systolic heart failure (HF) characterized by a low left ventricular ejection fraction (< 45%) that affects pregnant women or those in the early postpartum period. 1 Management involves multi-disciplinary team approach and active patient involvement including monitoring symptoms, managing medications while lactating, and adhering to lifestyle changes which can be exceptionally challenging during peri-partum period. Also, even with strict medication adherence, and follow-up, there is substantial risk of recurrent heart failure which makes subsequent pregnancy planning and contraception of utmost importance and requires active patient involvement/education so that they have good insight about prognosis, risks/benefits involved. 2 Online patient education materials are frequently used by patients to supplement physician counseling. The National Institutes of Health recommends that patient education materials be written at or below an eighth grade reading level; however, the readability of PPCM-related patient resources has not previously been assessed.