Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: characteristics and outcome in a tertiary care hospital
Purpose of investigation: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) has been traditionally regarded as a condition with a poor prognosis. We studied the acute and long-term outcomes in patients with PPCM in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Patients with PPCM admitted to our hospital from June 1990 to February 2002 who had documented left ventricular (LY) dysfunction by echocardiographic criteria were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Out of ten patients who fulfilled the criteria for the diagnosis, six (60%) had severe, and four (40%) had moderate LY dysfunction at echocardiography. None had evidence of other chronic disease. Treatment consisted of fluid restriction, diuresis, and afterload reducers in all, and intravenous inotropes in three (30%) of the patients. No patient died while in hospital or during followup. All patients showed improvement in their clinical condition and LV function on follow-up which normalized in seven (70%). Conclusion: PPCM might carry a relatively good prognosis in patients with absence of associated disease conditions.