Peripartum cardiomyopathy: report of a case.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is defined as the development of heart failure during the later part of pregnancy or during the first three to six postpartum months, without an obvious underlying cause or prior evidence of cardiac disease. We present one case of peripartum cardiac failure which occurred in a 25-year-old primigravida with twin gestation. The patient underwent an emergency Cesarean section followed by successful medical treatment. An endomyocardial biopsy was performed 12 days after delivery and the pathological changes were consistent with the diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy.     

Pregnancy-related mortality due to cardiomyopathy: United States, 1991-1997

OBJECTIVE: To describe characteristics and risk factors for pregnancy-related deaths due to cardiomyopathy during 1991-1997 and to assess reasons for the increasing trend in reporting of pregnancy-related deaths due to cardiomyopathy from 1979 through 1997. METHODS: We used data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention's Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System to examine pregnancy-related deaths due to cardiomyopathy from 1991 through 1997. The pregnancy-related mortality ratio for cardiomyopathy was defined as the number of pregnancy-related deaths from cardiomyopathy per 100,000 live births. Cardiomyopathy was classified as peripartum cardiomyopathy or cardiomyopathy due to other causes. RESULTS: Of the 245 cardiomyopathy deaths that occurred during 1991-1997, 171 (70%) were due to peripartum cardiomyopathy. The cause-specific pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 0.88 per 100,000 live births. Mortality increased as maternal age increased. Black women were 6.4 times as likely to die from cardiomyopathy as white women. Among peripartum cardiomyopathy cases in which the interval from the end of pregnancy was known, 2% died undelivered, 48% died within 42 days of delivery, and 50% died between 43 days and 1 year postpartum. CONCLUSION: Cardiomyopathy accounts for an increasing proportion of reported pregnancy-related deaths, and the more than six-fold excess risk of death from cardiomyopathy among black women is larger than that for any other cause of death. The increased reporting of these deaths might be largely due to improved case ascertainment. Further studies are required to estimate the prevalence of cardiomyopathy and identify modifiable risk factors associated with these deaths and the reasons for this racial disparity.     

Clinical management of gravid women with peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an important cause for idiopathic heart failure associated with pregnancy. Current evidence suggests a potential role for myocarditis in the pathogenesis of this disease. About 3% to 4% of these patients present before delivery. Another group of patients with prior history of this disease request information about pregnancy prognosis. This article focuses on current concepts about peripartum cardiomyopathy and presents a reasonable approach to this clinical challenge during pregnancy.     

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in infants of diabetic mothers: an update

Infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) are at known risk for developing a hypertrophic type of cardiomyopathy. The severity of IDM cardiomyopathy can vary from an incidental finding on echocardiography to an infant with severe symptoms of congestive heart failure. The purpose of this article is to review the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in the development of cardiomyopathy in IDMs and to discuss the diagnostic tests utilized in making the diagnosis (especially echocardiography) and the potential mechanisms that may result in congestive heart failure. This report will conclude with a review of a 2 1/2 year prospective study of diabetic women who had carefully maintained diabetic control during pregnancy. Although the IDMs in this study continued to have mild evidence of generalized hypertrophy when compared with control newborn infants, none developed symptoms of congestive heart failure. These data support the contention that careful diabetic management in pregnancy reduces the severity of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in IDMs.     

Pregnancy With Primary Dilated Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND:Primary dilated cardiomyopathy is rare in women of childbearing age. The expected increase in intravascular volume and cardiac output during pregnancy is poorly tolerated by patients with primary dilated cardiomyopathy and may result in cardiac failure.CASE:A primigravid teenager with a history of primary dilated cardiomyopathy developed severe acute cardiac failure at 20 weeks’ gestation. She required ventilation and was treated with inotropes and nitroglycerin. After counseling, she underwent termination of pregnancy using misoprostol. She recovered and was discharged 5 days after delivery.CONCLUSION:Pregnancy in patients with primary dilated cardiomyopathy can be extremely hazardous, resulting in cardiac failure and even death. A multidisciplinary approach and consideration of termination of pregnancy may be required in management of such patients.     

Cardiomyopathy in pregnancy

Cardiomyopathy during pregnancy is uncommon but potentially catastrophic to maternal health, accounting for up to 11% of maternal deaths. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is diagnosed in women without a history of heart disease 1 month before delivery or within 5 months postpartum. About half of all women will have full myocardial recovery within 6 months of diagnosis, but complications such as severe heart failure or death are not rare. African-American women have higher rates of diagnosis and adverse events. Women with preexisting cardiomyopathy, such as dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, followed closely during pregnancy often tolerate pregnancy and delivery. Risk factors for adverse outcomes include functional status at baseline, severity of systolic dysfunction or outflow tract gradient, or history of prior cardiac event, such as arrhythmia or stroke. The level of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) can be used to risk stratify women for adverse events. Pregnant women with cardiomyopathy should be followed closely by a multidisciplinary team comprised of nurses, obstetricians, neonatologists, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and cardiac surgeons.     

剖宫产术后子痫前期并发应激性心肌病一例

本文报告了1例剖宫产术后子痫前期并发应激性心脏病的病例。该患者于孕37周行剖宫产术,术后诊断为子痫前期,术后2 d突发胸闷、憋气,诊断为急性应激性心肌病,经无创呼吸机辅助通气、降压、维持出入量负平衡、抗感染、抗凝等治疗,术后9 d痊愈出院。孕期及产后并发应激性心肌病的病例少见,剖宫产及子痫前期可能是其危险因素。     

A case of peripartum cardiomyopathy with a transient increase of plasma interleukin-6 concentration occurred following mirror syndrome

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an unusual heart failure of unknown etiology that occurs during pregnancy or postpartum. Mirror syndrome is a characteristic of maternal edema subsequent to fetal and/or placental edema. We report a case of PPCM with a transient increase of interleukin-6 concentration occurring in the postpartum period of mirror syndrome.     

Peripartum maternal cardiomyopathy with idiopathic cardiomyopathy in the offspring. A case report

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an enigmatic disorder. A patient who developed it after delivery had a twin pregnancy complicated by demise of one fetus, preterm labor and subsequent preterm delivery of the viable twin, who died at 48 hours of life. The second twin had autopsy evidence of idiopathic cardiomyopathy, as did a prior child, who had died at 2 years of age. This report is the first on a woman with peripartum cardiomyopathy associated with idiopathic cardiomyopathy in her live-born infant. Our findings, in conjunction with those noted in a review of the literature, suggest that there is a subset of peripartum cardiomyopathy that may be mediated on a genetic or immunologic basis.     

Temporal trends in cardiomyopathy in pregnancy and association with feto-infant morbidity outcomes

Objective: To examine temporal trends of cardiomyopathy in pregnancy and its association with feto-infant morbidity outcomes. Design and methods: We performed a population-based retrospective cohort analysis utilizing the Florida hospital discharge data linked to vital statistics for 1998 to 2007 (N?=?1 738 860). Prevalence rates and trend statistics of cardiomyopathy were computed. Conditional logistic regression models were used to generate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The annual prevalence of cardiomyopathy in pregnancy increased from 8.5/100 000 births to 32.7/100 000 (p for trend <0.0001), representing an absolute increase of 24% and a relative increase of 300% over the decade. Infants born to women with cardiomyopathy were at higher risk for feto-infant morbidities, including low birth weight (AOR?=?3.49, 95% CI: 2.97–4.11), very low birth weight (AOR?=?4.43, 95% CI: 2.98–6.60), preterm birth (AOR?=?3.33, 95% CI: 2.88–3.85), very preterm birth (AOR?=?5.22, 95% CI: 3.92–6.97) and small for gestational age (AOR?=?1.57, 95% CI: 1.26–1.96). Conclusion: The observed increasing prevalence of cardiomyopathy during pregnancy over the decade is of concern, as it is related to elevated risk for feto-infant morbidities. There is a need to delineate risk factors for this condition and to formulate appropriate preconception counseling for women with elevated risk for this diagnosis.     

Peripartum cardiomyopathy and cesarean section: report of two cases and literature review

Introduction The anesthetic management of labor and delivery in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy is not well defined. Using continuous spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine or combined spinal epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine in such rare clinical situations has not been previously reported.Case report We present two cases in which parturients with the diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy presented in congestive heart failure for emergent Cesarean section. Continuous spinal anesthesia and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia were successfully employed as the anesthetic techniques for the procedures. Both patients remained hemodynamically stable during surgery and were discharged home on postoperative days 5 and 4 respectively.     

Postpartum Depression and Apical Ballooning Syndrome (Takotsubo Syndrome)

BackgroundAcute cardiac complications occur occasionally during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period. Some of these cardiac scenarios are rare and provide a diagnostic challenge. We report a case of apical ballooning syndrome (ABS), also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or broken-heart syndrome, in a postpartum patient.CaseA 32-year-old multigravid woman presented at 17 days after delivery with chest pain typical for cardiac ischemic pain. Her prior obstetrical history included two uncomplicated vaginal deliveries, and the current postpartum period had been uncomplicated until the time of presentation. Cardiac catheterization was performed and showed normal coronary blood vessels with no evidence of coronary artery occlusion. Left ventricular systolic function was moderately depressed, with an ejection fraction of 45%. The patient had full recovery of myocardial function in less than 40 days, with a subsequent echocardiogram during that time showing a normal ejection fraction of 65%.ConclusionApical ballooning syndrome is a rare reversible cardiac condition that should be differentiated from ischemic and peripartum cardiomyopathy, especially in the immediate postpartum period.     

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy--transient left ventricular apical ballooning mimicking acute myocardial infarction.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction with clinical symptoms of chest pain, electrocardiographic changes of ST-segment elevation or T wave inversion, which mimics acute myocardial infarction in patients without angiographically significant coronary artery stenosis. We report a 75-year-old woman with a history of chest tightness who presented with typical pictures of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Acute myocardial infarction was initially diagnosed based on the electrocardiographic changes and elevated troponin. Apical akinesis and ballooning with basal hyperkinesis were noted during left ventriculography. Coronary angiography, however, did not show significant coronary artery stenosis. Electrocardiography was normal 3 months later. Follow-up echocardiography did not show any wall motion abnormality. This patient remained well without chest pain or dyspnea over 24 months of follow-up. Optimal medical management of takotsubo cardiomyopathy remains unclear. This patient received diltiazem to prevent possible coronary artery spasm. The prognosis of this syndrome seems to be favorable except for occasional mortality due to left ventricular rupture or ventricular arrhythmia. Recurrence of this syndrome is rare.     

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and pregnancy: report of a maternal mortality and review of literature

The first case of maternal mortality with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is reported. An additional successfully managed case of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and pregnancy is reported. Systemic arterial embolization, which has not been previously reported in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with pregnancy is discussed. English language literature on hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and pregnancy is reviewed, and a management plan has been outlined.     

Prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of familial asymmetric septal hypertrophy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy usually manifests clinically in the second or third decade of life. Two dimensional echocardiography is a reliable indicator of the presence of the disease. This technique is of use in the screening of fetuses at risk for familial cardiomyopathy. This report describes the prenatal echocardiographic detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the fetus of a mother with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy localized to the apical region of the left ventricle.     

Ritodrine-induced pulmonary edema unmasking underlying peripartum cardiomyopathy

Pulmonary edema was induced by an increase in the dose of ritodrine in a patient receiving the drug for 28 days because of preterm contractions. After initial therapy, the cardiologic evaluation revealed peripartum cardiomyopathy. This is the first report of ritodrine causing pulmonary edema by unmasking underlying asymptomatic cardiomyopathy. This may have been the cause of some of the previously reported cases of ritodrine-induced heart failure.     

Retrospective analysis of prenatal ultrasound of children with Pompe disease

ObjectiveThe aim of this retrospective study is to determine the prenatal ultrasound markers of patients diagnosed postnatally with infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD).Materials and methodsThis is a retrospective study of cases with a postnatal diagnosis of IOPD during a 5-year period. The medical file of the patients with IOPD was reviewed, and data regarding especially pregnancy were collected.ResultsSecond trimester fetal sonographic anatomical scan was performed in all 13 cases during pregnancy. Two cases (15.4%) were found to have a persistently open mouth at 23 weeks and 24 weeks, respectively. Serials follow-up ultrasound examinations demonstrated the same findings in the two cases. Third trimester ultrasound was also performed in all cases. Large heart was found in five cases (38.5%), and fetal echocardiography confirmed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.ConclusionOur results indicate that a mid-trimester open mouth and third-trimester hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are the prenatal findings associated with the disorder of IOPD.     

Peripartum cardiomyopathy in the Hospital Albert Schweitzer District of Haiti

OBJECTIVE: This report details current epidemiologic information on peripartum cardiomyopathy in 1 district of Haiti and represents the initial report of an ongoing investigation that addresses potential etiologic and prognostic factors. Another goal is to alert the medical community of what appears to be a high-incidence area. STUDY DESIGN: A detailed peripartum cardiomyopathy registry has been implemented to include a review of case records from 1994 to 2000 and subsequently to identify new cases from February 1, 2000, to July 1, 2001. The Hospital Albert Schweitzer District of Haiti is a 600-square mile area with approximately 258,000 population served by a hospital, an associated clinic, and outlying health centers. There are approximately 7740 live births annually. This report details epidemiologic information on the HAS District peripartum cardiomyopathy patients including incidence, mortality rate, complications, and prognostic factors. RESULTS: There were 47 confirmed patients (retrospective cohort, 20 patients; prospective cohort, 27 patients), which was approximately 1 case per 400 live births (compared with an incidence of 1 case per 3000 to 4000 live births in the United States). There were 4 deaths (14% of 29 patients with follow-up), and 7 complications (pulmonary embolism, 1 case; hemiplegia, 1 case; subsequent deterioration of heart function, 5 cases). The prognosis for subsequent pregnancy was 4 of 5 cases (80%) of recurrent congestive heart failure. CONCLUSION: Peripartum cardiomyopathy appears to be relatively common in the Hospital Albert Schweitzer District of Haiti. A core group of patients is identified for ongoing epidemiologic and immunohematologic investigation of risk factors and potential etiologic factors.     

Peripartum cardiomyopathy. A review

The objective of this article is to review the aetiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical course, treatment and prognosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). The medical literature from 1966 to March 2002 was reviewed through MEDLINE. PPCM is a rare complication in pregnancy. It is seen in late pregnancy or in the early puerperium. The aetiology of this disease remains uncertain. Many possible causes have been proposed, including myocarditis, abnormal immune response to pregnancy, maladaptive response to the hemodynamic stresses of pregnancy and prolonged tocolysis. Risk factors for PPCM include advanced maternal age, multiparity, African descent, twinning and long-term tocolysis. Patients with systolic dysfunction during pregnancy are treated the same as patients who are not pregnant. The mainstays of medical therapy are digoxin, loop diuretics, sodium restriction and afterload reducing agents (hydralazine and nitrates). Due to a high risk for venous and arterial thrombosis, anticoagulation with heparin should be instituted. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers should be avoided during pregnancy because of severe adverse neonatal effects. The utility of immunosuppressive therapy remains ambiguous. Advances in medical therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy and cardiac transplantation have significantly improved the quality of life and survival for patients.     

A modified definition for peripartum cardiomyopathy and prognosis based on echocardiography.

The diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy is one of exclusion, made after careful search for an underlying cause. Research in this area is compromised by the reliance of some on clinical criteria alone without strict echocardiographic criteria. This article argues for uniform criteria that define peripartum cardiomyopathy, similar to the criteria for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy set forth by a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored workshop and proposes that the new definition include heart failure within the last month of pregnancy or 5 months postpartum; absence of preexisting heart disease; no determinable etiology, the traditional definition; and strict echocardiographic criteria of left ventricular dysfunction: ejection fraction less than 45%, or M-mode fractional shortening less than 30%, or both, and end-diastolic dimension more than 2.7 cm/m2. Mortality from peripartum cardiomyopathy remains high, 25-50%, and a recent review related long-term prognosis to echocardiographic measures of left ventricular chamber dimension and function at diagnosis and recovery. We describe a modified pharmacologic echocardiographic stress test that might be useful in determining left ventricular contractile reserve in women believed to be recovered by routine echocardiographic studies. The test reproduces hemodynamic stress akin to pregnancy, and the data might be useful when counseling women on future childbearing. Women who respond with reduced cardiac reserve might be advised to avoid pregnancy.