A Change of Heart : Case Series of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Joint Authors

Martin, Sean
Short, Daniel
McLellan, Dina
Wong, Chih Mun

Source

Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Issue

Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-4, 4 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2013-12-22

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

4

Main Subjects

Diseases

Abstract EN

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an uncommon disease of pregnancy, occurring in about 1 in 2000 live births, and is characterized by the development of heart failure, due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

It is associated with high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality.

Cardiac disease is the leading cause of maternal death in the UK: PPCM accounts for about 17% of these.

Clinical findings of decompensated heart failure (HF) are often masked by the normal physiological changes seen in pregnancy making the diagnosis challenging.

A high index of suspicion is essential—prompting referral for echocardiogram, which is crucial for diagnosis.

Favourable prognosis is dependent on the early initiation of HF medications.

Although full recovery occurs in around half of cases, left ventricular systolic dysfunction persists in a significant proportion of patients with PPCM and the risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies is high.

The pathophysiology of PPCM is under intense research.

We present four patients with PPCM and a review of the literature.

Owing to the diagnostic challenge of PPCM and decompensated HF in pregnant mothers and its high mortality rate without treatment, prompt investigation and referral are key to improving maternal survival.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Martin, Sean& Short, Daniel& Wong, Chih Mun& McLellan, Dina. 2013. A Change of Heart : Case Series of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-4.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-481024

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Martin, Sean…[et al.]. A Change of Heart : Case Series of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-4.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-481024

American Medical Association (AMA)

Martin, Sean& Short, Daniel& Wong, Chih Mun& McLellan, Dina. A Change of Heart : Case Series of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-4.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-481024

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-481024