Why the study?
Current definitions of peripartum cardiomyopathy based on LVEF of 45% or less fail to identify patients presenting earlier or those with diastolic dysfunction and preserved LVEF.
The definition of peripartum cardiomyopathy should be expanded to include diastolic dysfunction, and biomarker testing can aid in early risk assessment.
PPCM is defined as the development of heart failure during or immediately after pregnancy. Officially, heart failure in this setting is defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 45% or less However, that level does not define those who are identified earlier and their LVEF may be greater than 45%. In addition, LVEF impairment only describes systolic dysfunction heart failure; and PPCM also involves diastolic dysfunction heart failure-with or without preserved LVEF. Hence, newer definitions must include both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Similar signs and symptoms may be seen with either and the treatment is also similar It helps in assessing both risks for development of PPCM and existence of early pregnancyassociated cardiomyopathy (PAC) to do blood testing that includes B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFLT1)
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James D. Fett (2020) studied this question.
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