Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Literature Review

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare cause of heart failure that affects women during the last month of pregnancy to the first five months after delivery. The disease occurs in about one in 1,000 births in the U.S. Risk factors include advanced age, multiparity, twin pregnancy, African origin, preeclampsia or preexisting hypertension, and severe anemia. Heart failure in PPCM is treated similarly to heart failure from other causes, bearing in mind the pregnancy and lactation status. In this review article, we discuss the background, etiology, clinical evaluation, treatment, and natural history of peripartum cardiomyopathy, with a major emphasis on treatment.

[Diagnosis and therapy of retained fetal membranes, puerperal metritis and clinical endometritis in cattle: Results of the Online-survey among Swiss practitioners. II. Puerperal metritis and clinical endometritis]

The aim of the study was to obtain the diagnostic and therapeutic approach among Swiss practitioners in cows with puerperal metritis and clinical endometritis (part 2). All members of the Association for ruminant health were contacted per email via the newsletter. The survey was completed by 128 veterinarians, partially responded by 140 veterinarians. The following main symptoms of puerperal metritis were stated by the practitioners: purulent vaginal discharge, fever and reduced appetite. A vaginal and rectal examination was performed to diagnose the disease. Usually, an intrauterine treatment with tetracycline or cefapirin was done. Parenteral administration of tetracycline or penicillin was often combined with PGF(2α), NSAIDS or cortisone. Clinical endometritis was also diagnosed by vaginal and rectal examination and the main symptom indicated was purulent vaginal discharge. The therapy consisted of the administration of PGF(2α), uterine infusions predominantly with cefapirin, and rarely with parenteral administration of antibiotics. Further diagnostic tools were not used and normally cows were not rechecked. The success of the therapy of puerperal metritis and clinical endometritis was judged to be satisfactory to excellent.

Postpartum splenic rupture: a possible iatrogenic event, but finalized with successful conservation of the spleen

The authors present the case of a postpartum splenic rupture induced probably by iatrogenic injury (recent vaginal delivery with a prolonged expulsion with uterine fundus compression) including the left hypochondria region costal grid. The case was solved with splenic preservation and achieving hemostasis only by local plugging and Gelaspon. The case raised also other problems regarding the etiology of splenic rupture, in establishing a causal relationship between a intrapartum splenic injury, and the three episodes of inferior genital tract hemorrhaging, in establishing the cause of the infectious syndrome from the 24h postpartum day, (parietal infection or splenic abscess requiring splenectomy).

[VENOUS THROMBOSIS OF THE LEFT OVARIAN AND EXTENSION TO THE RENAL VEIN]

Ovarian vein thrombosis is a rare, but potentially serious postpartum complication. In 80% of the cases, it occurs on the right side and in less than 6% on the left side; it is bilateral in 14% of cases. The usual clinical features include abdominal pain, fever and leucocytosis. However, the diagnosis is often complicated by other non specific signs and symptoms. Ovarian vein thrombosis may cause sepsis, pulmonary thromboembolism, and thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and the renal vein. The diagnosis can be established by CT scan or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, which has a high sensitivity and specificity. Treatment for the ovarian vein thrombosis includes antibiotics and anticoagulation. The complications can sometimes be surgically managed. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can decrease the morbidity and the mortality. Nowadays, the fatal issue is rare as the appropriate treatment is quickly instaured.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a case of patient with triplet pregnancy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of pregnancy associated with heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction occurring within the last month of pregnancy and five month postpartum with no obvious other cause of heart failure and no pre-existing heart disease. In the present case report the authors present a woman who developed PPCM on the day after she delivered by cesarean section in 35th weeks of gestation of triplet pregnancy conceived after ovarian stimulation and insemination. A treatment with diuretics, ACE inhibitors, antiarrhythmics, low weight heparin, antibiotics and bromocriptine was applied and resulted in complete recovery. In conclusion, timely detection and initiation of treatment are important factors for complete recovery of patients with PPCM.

Effects of sacral nerve stimulation on postpartum urinary retention-related changes in rat bladder

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) on the urodynamic function and molecular structure of bladders in rats following acute urinary retention (AUR) after parturition.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty primiparous rats were divided into three groups: postpartum, postpartum+AUR, and postpartum+AUR+SNS. AUR was achieved by clamping the distal urethra of a rat for 60 minutes. The postpartum+AUR+SNS group received electrical stimulation 60 minutes daily for 3 days after AUR. In addition to cystometric studies and external urethral sphincter electromyography, the expression of caveolins and nerve growth factor (NGF) and caveolae number in bladder muscle were analyzed.

RESULTS

The postpartum+AUR group has significantly greater residual volume than the postpartum group, but the residual volume decreased significantly after SNS treatment. The postpartum+AUR group had significantly lower peak voiding pressure, a longer bursting period and lower amplitude of electromyograms of external urethral sphincter activity than the postpartum and postpartum+AUR+SNS groups. The postpartum+AUR rats had higher NGF expression, lower caveolin-1 expression, and fewer caveolae in bladder muscle compared with the postpartum rats. Conversely, the caveolin-1 expression and caveolae number increased, and the NGF expression decreased after SNS treatment.

CONCLUSION

Bladder dysfunction after parturition in a rat model caused by AUR may be restored to the non-AUR structural and functional level after SNS treatment.

Puerperal uterine inversion managed by the uterine balloon tamponade

The uterine inversion is a rare and severe puerperal complication. Uncontrolled cord traction and uterine expression are the common causes described. We report a case of uterine inversion stage III caused by poor management of the third stage of labor. It was about a 20 years old primigravida referred in our unit for postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony. After manual reduction of the uterus, the use of intra uterine balloon tamponade helped to stop the hemorrhage. The uterine inversion is a rare complication that may cause maternal death. The diagnosis is clinical and its management must be immediate to avoid maternal complications.

CURRENT MANAGEMENT OF PERIPARTUM CARDIOMYOPATHY: A REVIEW

BACKGROUND

Demarkis et al in 1971 described 27 patients who presented during pueperium with cardiomegaly, abnormal electrocardiographic findings, congestive heart failure and named the syndrome "peripartum cardiomyopathy". The aim of this review is to document the current concepts in the management of peripartum cardiomyopathy.

MATERIALSAND METHODS

A search of the literature was done using PubMed, Goggle scholar and books from authors' collections.

RESULTS

The cause of the disease might be environmental and genetic factors. Diagnostic echocardiographic criteria include left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 45% or a combination of M-mode fractional shortening of less than 30% and end diastolic dimension of greater than 2.7 cm/m². Electrocardiogram, magnetic resonance imaging, endomyocardial biopsy and cardiac catheterization aid in the diagnosis and management of peripartum cardiomyopathy. Treatment includes both conventional pharcomological heart failure and peripartum cardiomyopathy targeted therapies.Therapeutic decisions are influenced by drug safety profiles during pregnancy and lactation. Mechanical support and transplantation might be necessary in severe cases.

CONCLUSION

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an uncommon but life threatening cardiac failure of unknown aetiology encountered in late pregnancy or postpartum period. Management aims at improving heart failure symptoms through conventional therapies and then at administering targeted therapies.The risk of recurrence in future pregnancies should always be considered.

Treatment for women with postpartum iron deficiency anaemia

BACKGROUND

Postpartum iron deficiency anaemia is caused by bleeding or inadequate dietary iron intake/uptake. This condition is defined by iron deficiency accompanied by a lower than normal blood haemoglobin concentration, although this can be affected by factors other than anaemia and must be interpreted in the light of any concurrent symptoms. Symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, and dizziness. Treatment options include oral or intravenous iron, erythropoietin which stimulates red blood cell production, and substitution by red blood cell transfusion.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and harms of the available treatment modalities for women with postpartum iron deficiency anaemia.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (9 April 2015); the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Portal (ICTRP), and the Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database (LILACS) (8 April 2015) and reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included published, unpublished and ongoing randomised controlled trials that compared a treatment for postpartum iron deficiency anaemia with placebo, no treatment, or another treatment for postpartum iron deficiency anaemia, including trials described in abstracts only. Cluster-randomised trials were eligible for inclusion. We included both open-label trials and blinded trials, regardless of who was blinded. The participants were women with a postpartum haemoglobin of 120 g per litre (g/L) or less, for which treatment was initiated within six weeks after childbirth.Non-randomised trials, quasi-randomised trials and trials using a cross-over design were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, quality, and extracted data. We contacted study authors and pharmaceutical companies for additional information.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 22 randomised controlled trials (2858 women), most of which had high risk of bias in several domains. We performed 13 comparisons. Many comparisons are based on a small number of studies with small sample sizes. No analysis of our primary outcomes contained more than two studies.Intravenous iron was compared to oral iron in 10 studies (1553 women). Fatigue was reported in two studies and improved significantly favouring the intravenously treated group in one of the studies. Other anaemia symptoms were not reported. One woman died from cardiomyopathy (risk ratio (RR) 2.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12 to 71.96; two studies; one event; 374 women; low quality evidence). One woman developed arrhythmia. Both cardiac complications occurred in the intravenously treated group. Allergic reactions occurred in three women treated with intravenous iron, not statistically significant (average RR 2.78; 95% CI 0.31 to 24.92; eight studies; 1454 women; I² = 0%; low quality evidence). Gastrointestinal events were less frequent in the intravenously treated group (average RR 0.31; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.47; eight studies; 169 events; 1307 women; I² = 0%; very low quality evidence).One study evaluated red blood cell transfusion versus non-intervention. General fatigue improved significantly more in the transfusion group at three days (MD -0.80; 95% CI -1.53 to -0.07; women 388; low quality evidence), but no difference between groups was seen at six weeks. Maternal mortality was not reported.The remaining comparisons evaluated oral iron (with or without other food substances) versus placebo (three studies), intravenous iron with oral iron versus oral iron (two studies) and erythropoietin (alone or combined with iron) versus placebo or iron (seven studies). These studies did not investigate fatigue. Maternal mortality was rarely reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The body of evidence did not allow us to reach a clear conclusion regarding the efficacy of the interventions on postpartum iron deficiency anaemia. The quality of evidence was low.Clinical outcomes were rarely reported. Laboratory values may not be reliable indicators for efficacy, as they do not always correlate with clinical treatment effects. It remains unclear which treatment modality is most effective in alleviating symptoms of postpartum anaemia.Intravenous iron was superior regarding gastrointestinal harms, however anaphylaxis and cardiac events occurred and more data are needed to establish whether this was caused by intravenous iron.The clinical significance of some temporarily improved fatigue scores in women treated with blood transfusion is uncertain and this modest effect should be balanced against known risks, e.g. maternal mortality (not reported) and maternal immunological sensitisation, which can potentially harm future pregnancies.When comparing oral iron to placebo it remains unknown whether efficacy (relief of anaemia symptoms) outweighs the documented gastrointestinal harms.We could not draw conclusions regarding erythropoietin treatment due to lack of evidence.Further research should evaluate treatment effect through clinical outcomes, i.e. presence and severity of anaemia symptoms balanced against harms, i.e. survival and severe morbidity.

Case Study of Intrapartum Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Subsequent Postpartum Beta-Lactam Anaphylaxis

Universal screening for maternal group B Streptococcus (GBS) in the prenatal period has led to administration of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). Although IAP decreased the rate of early neonatal GBS disease, exposure of childbearing women to penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics has increased. Beta-lactam-induced anaphylaxis in the breastfeeding woman during the postpartum period illustrates risk factors for beta-lactam allergy and anaphylaxis. Treatment and nursing implications for this adverse reaction are suggested.

[Peripartum cardiomyopathy]

The peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of dilated cardiomyopathy resulting from alteration of angiogenesis toward the end of pregnancy. The diagnosis is based on the association of clinical heart failure and systolic dysfunction assessed by echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnoses to rule out are myocardial infarction, amniotic liquid embolism, myocarditis, inherited cardiomyopathy, and history of treatment by anthracycline. Risk factors are advance maternal age (>30), multiparity, twin pregnancy, African origin, obesity, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and prolonged tocolytic therapy. Treatment of acute phase is identical to usual treatment of acute systolic heart failure. After delivery, VKA treatment should be discussed in case of systolic function <25% because of higher risk of thrombus. A specific treatment by bromocriptine can be initiated on a case-by-case basis. Complete recovery of systolic function is observed in 50% of cases. The mortality risk is low. Subsequent pregnancy should be discouraged, especially if systolic function did not recover.

[Therapeutic approach to postoperative anemia]

Postoperative anemia is a common finding in patients who undergo major surgery, and it can affect early rehabilitation and the return to daily activities. Allogeneic blood transfusion is still the most widely used method for restoring hemoglobin levels rapidly and effectively. However, the potential risks of transfusions have led to the review of this practice and to a search for alternative measures for treating postoperative anemia. The early administration of intravenous iron appears to improve the evolution of postoperative hemoglobin levels and reduce allogeneic transfusions, especially in patients with significant iron deficiency or anemia. What is not clear is whether this treatment heavily influences rehabilitation and quality of life. There is a lack of well-designed, sufficiently large, randomized prospective studies to determine whether postoperative or perioperative intravenous iron treatment, with or without recombinant erythropoietin, has a role in the recovery from postoperative anemia, in reducing transfusions and morbidity rates and in improving exercise capacity and quality of life.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Postnatal Anxiety Disorder

Interpersonal psychotherapy is one of two evidence-based formal psychotherapies for perinatal mood disorders. It is a time-limited, non-transference / cognitive-based therapy that focuses on communication and social support and can be easily conducted in a perinatal clinic setting. There is limited patient access to interpersonal psychotherapy in Hong Kong because the therapy is not widely disseminated. This case report aimed to illustrate the principles and techniques of interpersonal psychotherapy in perinatal psychiatry, and to raise interest among mental health professionals in Hong Kong in this evidence-based treatment.

Cerebrovascular complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period

Cerebrovascular complications of pregnancy, though uncommon, threaten women with severe morbidity or death, and they are the main causes of major long-term disability associated with pregnancy. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation and diagnosis, and management and outcomes of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and cerebral venous thrombosis. We also discuss the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, the reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome including postpartum cerebral angiopathy, and their relationship as overlapping manifestations of pre-eclampsia-eclampsia.

Be vigilant for perinatal mental health problems

The postnatal period appears to be associated with higher rates of adjustment disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, and depression. Women who have a history of serious mental illness are at higher risk of developing a postpartum relapse, even if they have been well during pregnancy. Psychiatric causes of maternal death are more common than some direct causes of death. UK rates increased from 13/100,000 in 2006-2008 to 16/100,000 in 2010-2012, higher than, for example, mortality caused by haemorrhage or anaesthetic complications of childbirth. Postnatal depression is more severe than baby blues, follows a chronic course and may relapse outside the perinatal period. Although 13% of patients already have depression in pregnancy, the majority tend to be diagnosed after delivery; up to 19% from childbirth to three months postpartum. NICE recommends using the Two Question Depression Screen and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale from the booking visit through to one year postpartum. A positive response to depression or anxiety questions warrants a full assessment using either PHQ-9 or the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Bipolar disorder may present as a first depressive episode in pregnancy or the postnatal period. In the postpartum period women have a high risk of severe relapse. Postpartum psychosis has a sudden and dramatic presentation with delusions, mania, severe depression, or mixed episodes with wide fluctuations of symptoms and severe mood swings.

Cardiac arrest following acute puerperal uterine inversion

Although uterine inversion is a potentially life-threatening complication of childbirth, there are only six case reports of cardiac arrest due to acute inversion to date. We report a successful outcome in a patient with sickle cell disease who had a witnessed cardiac arrest due to acute puerperal uterine inversion. Revival from cardiac arrest and resuscitation was followed by manual repositioning of the uterus. She gradually recovered from the acute kidney injury that developed as sequelae of the cardiac arrest and subsequent circulatory shock. Awareness of this rare complication and timely intervention is the key to a successful outcome in these patients.

"We have been working overnight without sleeping": traditional birth attendants' practices and perceptions of post-partum care services in rural Tanzania

BACKGROUND

In many low-income countries, formal post-partum care utilization is much lower than that of skilled delivery and antenatal care. While Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) might play a role in post-partum care, research exploring their attitudes and practices during this period is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore TBAs' practices and perceptions in post-partum care in rural Tanzania.

METHODS

Qualitative in-depth interview data were collected from eight untrained and three trained TBAs. Additionally, five multiparous women who were clients of untrained TBAs were also interviewed. Interviews were conducted in February 2013. Data were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze data.

RESULTS

Our study found that TBAs take care of women during post-partum with rituals appreciated by women. They report lacking formal post-partum care training, which makes them ill-equipped to detect and handle post-partum complications. Despite their lack of preparation, they try to provide care for some post-partum complications which could put the health of the woman at risk. TBAs perceive that utilization of hospital-based post-partum services among women was only important for the baby and for managing complications which they cannot handle. They are poorly linked with the health system.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that the TBAs conducted close follow-ups and some of their practices were appreciated by women. However, the fact that they were trying to manage certain post-partum complications can put women at risk. These findings point out the need to enhance the communication between TBAs and the formal health system and to increase the quality of the TBA services, especially in terms of prompt referral, through provision of training, mentoring, monitoring and supervision of the TBA services.

[Post-partum psychosis]

Postpartum psychosis occurs in 1-2/1000 childbearing women. It is commonly admitted that it belongs to bipolar disorder with psychotic features. A strong link between puerperal psychosis and bipolar disorder has been established. Symptoms include rapid mood fluctuations, confusion, delusions, hallucinations and bizarre behaviour. It can lead to devastating consequences. It is a psychiatric emergency that requires an urgent evaluation to exclude any organic cause. Therefore, early identification and appropriate treatment are critical. A quick and effective relief is necessary for maternal and child health and mother-infant relationship. Perinatal health professionals have to be accurate screening postpartum psychosis symptoms and have to educate patients and their family.

Effects of massage treatment combined with topical cactus and aloe on puerperal milk stasis

AIM

Puerperal milk stasis is one of the most common puerperal complication that directly affects breastfeeding. Massage treatment with topical cactus and aloe for puerperal milk stasis might be a superior treatment, and it does not affect breastfeeding.

METHODS

The intervention group was treated with massages with cactus and aloe cold compresses, and the control group was treated with massage treatment or cactus and aloe cold compresses alone. We evaluated the efficacies of the treatments through comparisons of the feeding patterns, hardness, and pain after treatment between the three groups.

RESULTS

We found that breastfeeding rates were significantly increased in the massage combine with combined with cactus and aloe cold compress group (P < 0.05 for both). Breast hardness and pain were reduced to greater extents in massage combine with combined with cactus and aloe cold compress group than in the massage or cold compress group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Massage treatment with topical cactus and aloe topical effectively improved the pain status, hard lump of puerperal milk stasis and increase breastfeeding rate.

[Anxiety disorders during pregnancy and the post-partum period]

BACKGROUND

Although anxiety disorders are more prevalent during the perinatal period, little attention has been given so far to the influence that pregnancy and the post-partum period can have on anxiety disorders.

AIM

To review the literature concerning the prevalence, presentation and treatment of anxiety disorders during pregnancy and the post-partum period and to identify the risk factors involved.

METHOD

We reviewed the literature in order to find articles concerning the influence of the post-partum period on various types of anxiety disorders.

RESULTS

Having selected the most relevant articles, we discuss the findings in relation to specific types of anxiety disorder.

CONCLUSION

Women are more vulnerable to anxiety disorders during the perinatal period. Because anxiety disorders can have a significant impact on the mother and her foetus/infant it is important that anxiety disorders are identified and treated at the earliest opportunity.

Core Research Teams: A strategy to research critically ill pregnant and postnatal women

There has been little research conducted on critically ill pregnant and postnatal women. When developing a research protocol to conduct a prospective multi-centre survey on this study population, we found there were vital concerns that needed addressing prior to the research proceeding. Prompt identification of the study population and valid, reliable data collection were two aspects that needed particular attention with study recruitment potentially occurring in a total of eleven clinical areas from seven hospitals. In this paper we outline the particular issues faced by us when conducting multi-centre research on a study population that occurs infrequently and unpredictably, and when there is a necessary urgency to identify eligible study participants. The key strategy to overcome these difficulties, was the creation of 'Core Research Teams' in each clinical area. Our experience of using Core Research Teams in our pilot study is described in this paper. We found that the Core Research Team model is a very positive strategy to overcome the methodological challenges when operating a multi-centre study.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: current state of knowledge, new developments and future directions

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy affecting women in late pregnancy or early puerperium. Although initially described in the late 1800s, it has only recently been recognized as a distinct cardiac condition. The reported incidence and prognosis varies according to geography. The clinical course varies between complete recovery to rapid progression to chronic heart failure, heart transplantation or death. In spite of significant improvements in understanding the pathophysiology and management of the PPCM many features of this unique disease are poorly understood, including incidence, etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, predictors of prognosis and optimal therapy. The present article revisits these concepts and recent advances in PPCM.