Association of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy with Severe Preeclamsia

Rujuta Fuke, Smita Rokade

Abstract: The outcome of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is highly variable. The strong epidemiological relationship is observed between Preeclampsia (PE) and peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Echocardiography forms essential diagnostic tool to diagnose PPCM. It is useful for early diagnosis as well as prognosis of the disease when performed in suspected subjects. The aim of our study is to see the association between preeclampsia and peripartum cardiomyopathy with the help of Echocardiography which will help in early diagnosis of patients. We investigated total 260 study subjects with severe preeclampsia with the help of echocardiography and diagnosed 24 new patients with PPCM. The current study demonstrates that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is a strong risk factor for the development of PPCM. The results of the study also support the novel concept that PE and PPCM share a standard antivascular pathobiology. Effectiveness of echocardiography obviates the need for invasive cardiac catheterization and help in prompt diagnosis.

Keywords: Peripartum cardiomyopathy, preeclampsia, echocardiography, congestive heart failure, puerperium, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy