Addressing the silent threat of peripartum cardiomyopathy in Pakistan: a review

Peripartum Dilated Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a serious heart condition that may occur in the last month of pregnancy or within five months postpartum. It is characterized by left ventricular systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction (EF) less than 45%, often occurring in women without known cardiac history. PPCM is poorly understood and managed in developing countries like Pakistan where there are significant gaps pertaining to maternal healthcare systems and diagnosis. This narrative review examines PPCM’s epidemiology, underlying causes, diagnostic limitations, management strategies, as well as its broader implications for public health in Pakistan. Original articles, systemic reviews, meta-analyses and case reports that were published in the last five years (December 2019-December 2024) and were relevant to the Pakistani context were selected using different search engines: PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Academia, Semantic Scholar and Scopus. To provide a diagnostic and treatment pathway paradigm specifically suited for enhancing maternal healthcare outcomes in Pakistani settings, attention was drawn to the discourse-informed context that contrasts local realities with international developments. Future strategies must emphasize early detection, postpartum care, awareness, and equity-driven, multidisciplinary interventions tailored to Pakistan’s socioeconomic context to combat PPCM and improve maternal health.