Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Risks Diagnosis and Management

Selma Carlson, Jessica Schultz, Bhavadharini Ramu, Melinda B. Davis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare cause of heart failure that occurs during late pregnancy or in the early postpartum period. Delays in diagnosis may occur as symptoms of heart failure mimic those of normal pregnancy. The diagnosis should be considered in any pregnant or postpartum woman with symptoms concerning for heart failure. If there are clinical concerns, labs including N-terminal pro-BNP should be checked, and an echocardiogram should be ordered to assess for systolic dysfunction. Prompt medical treatment tailored for pregnancy and lactation is essential to prevent adverse events. Outcomes are variable, including complete recovery, persistent myocardial dysfunction with heart failure symptoms, arrhythmias, thromboembolic events, and/or rapid deterioration requiring mechanical circulatory support and cardiac transplantation. It is essential that care is provided as part of a multidisciplinary cardio-obstetrics team including obstetrics, cardiology, maternal fetal medicine, anesthesiology, and nursing. All women with peripartum cardiomyopathy should have close follow-up with a cardiologist, although optimal duration of medical therapy following complete recovery is unknown. Women considering a subsequent pregnancy require preconception counseling and close collaboration between obstetrics and cardiology throughout pregnancy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1249-1258
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
Volume16
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Carlson et al. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited.

Keywords

  • cardiomyopathy
  • heart failure
  • peripartum
  • pregnancy

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Review

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