Teamwork in diagnosing and treating peripartum cardiomyopathy

When the diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) can be made very early in its course the systolic heart function will be better preserved [1]. When the echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is better, recovery outcomes will also be better [2]. Earlier diagnosis depends upon earlier recognition of symptoms that may be very similar to normal term pregnancy symptoms. When all of those involved in the care of new mothers, including the subjects themselves, are aware of a possibility for the development of pregnancyassociated heart failure in someone who has previously had perfectly normal heart function, then earlier diagnosis can easily be confirmed by echocardiography.