Key result
Peripartum cardiomyopathy remains a rare but significant driver of maternal mortality.
Why the study?
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare but frequently fatal cause of maternal death often diagnosed late, necessitating greater recognition to improve outcomes.
May warrant consideration of PPCM in peripartum cardiac dysfunction; leaves open optimal management strategies pending prospective data.
Heart disease is the single leading cause of maternal death in the UK and peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), although rare, is frequently found within the cardiac maternal mortality statistics. It is too often diagnosed late, and frequently results in death, a trend that could be reversed with greater recognition of the problem. The hallmark of PPCM is the development of impaired ventricular function with depressed ejection fraction during pregnancy or for up to 6 months postpartum. The aetiology remains unknown but its presentation and treatment are similar to heart failure due to any other cause. This article discusses the background, clinical presentation, diagnosis, outcome, prognosis and treatment available for women diagnosed with PPCM. Its aim is to raise awareness of the condition and provide the knowledge-base, which will help the reader make an earlier diagnosis and potentially save lives.
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Stamatelatou et al. (2015) conducted a review in Peripartum cardiomyopathy. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare but significant cause of maternal mortality characterized by impaired ventricular function during pregnancy or up to 6 months postpartum.
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