Peripartum cardiomyopathy: A review article

Peripartum cardiomyopathy unveiled: Etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic insights

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) remains a significant challenge in maternal health, marked by its unpredictable onset and varied clinical outcomes. With rising incidence rates globally, understanding PPCM is vital for improving maternal care and prognosis. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on PPCM, highlighting recent advancements in its diagnosis, management, and therapeutic approaches. This comprehensive review delves into the epidemiology of PPCM, underscoring its global impact and demographic variations. We explore the complex etiology of the condition, examining known risk factors and discussing the potential pathophysiological mechanisms, including oxidative stress and hormonal influences. The clinical presentation of PPCM, often similar yet distinct from other forms of cardiomyopathy, is analyzed to aid in differential diagnosis. Diagnostic challenges are addressed, emphasizing the role of advanced imaging and biomarkers. Current management strategies are reviewed, focusing on the absence of disease-specific treatments and the application of general heart failure protocols. The review also discusses the prognosis of PPCM, factors influencing recovery, and the implications for future pregnancies. Finally, we highlight emerging research directions and the urgent need for disease-specific therapies, aiming to provide a roadmap for future studies and improved patient care. This review serves as a crucial resource for clinicians and researchers, contributing to a deeper understanding and better management of PPCM.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy in low- and middle-income countries

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) causes pregnancy-associated heart failure, typically during the last month of pregnancy, and up to 6 months post-partum, in women without known cardiovascular disease. PPCM is a global disease, but with a significant geographical variability within and between countries. Its true incidence in Africa is still unknown because of the lack of a PPCM population-based study. The variability in the epidemiology of PPCM between and within countries could be due to differences in the prevalence of both genetic and non-genetic risk factors. Several risk factors have been implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of PPCM over the years. Majority of patients with PPCM present with symptoms and signs of congestive cardiac failure. Diagnostic work up in PPCM is prompted by strong clinical suspicion, but Echocardiography is the main imaging technique for diagnosis. The management of PPCM involves multiple disciplines - cardiologists, anaesthetists, intensivists, obstetricians, neonatologists, and the prognosis varies widely.

Common Cardiovascular Diseases in Women

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for women in the United States. This article encompasses the epidemiology/etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic assessment, management, and prognosis of some common cardiovascular disorders seen in women with a special focus on pregnancy.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: alluring challenge - case series and review of literature

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disease responsible for heart failure that usually occurs in the last month of pregnancy or within five months postpartum, without any other known cause. A case series of five PPCM patients admitted at the Department of Cardiology of the University Hospital Mohammed VI of Oujda, Morocco, between 2017 and 2019. All cases were represented by young (case 1: 35-year-old; case 2: 28-year-old; case 3: 30-year-old; case 4: 36-year-old; case 5: 34-year-old). All patients were multiparous who were admitted to our department with a severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Case 1 and 4 were admitted 3 days after delivery for heart failure. Case 2 was admitted for cardiogenic shock after 3 months of delivery. Case 3 was admitted twelve days after delivery for acute heart failure with pulmonary embolism and multiple venous thrombosis. Case 5 had a history of PPCM was admitted for cardiogenic shock with a course marked by recurrent thromboembolic events. Case 1 and 2 responded to treatment at an early stage, case 4 has evolved to chronicity, the third patient died from an unclear cause, and the fifth patient died from a contraindicated pregnancy leading to the recurrence of fatal thromboembolic events. Above reported cases confirming the great heterogeneity in clinical presentation and course of peripartum cardiomyopathy and seems to confirm that a delayed diagnosis, as well thromboembolic complications are bad prognosis factors of these patients. Early diagnosis, multidisciplinary collaboration, prompt treatment of heart failure and continued monitoring are the keys to improve maternal survival.

Probenecid treatment improves outcomes in a novel mouse model of peripartum cardiomyopathy

Probenecid has been used for decades in the treatment of gout but recently has also been found to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure via stimulation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channel in cardiomyocytes. This study tested the use of probenecid on a novel mouse model of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) as a potential treatment option. A human mutation of the human heat shock protein 20 (Hsp20-S10F) in mice has been recently shown to result in cardiomyopathy, when exposed to pregnancies. Treatment with either probenecid or control sucrose water was initiated after the first pregnancy in both wild type and Hsp20-S10F mice. Serial echocardiography was performed during subsequent pregnancies and hearts were collected after the third pregnancies for staining and molecular analysis. Hsp20-S10F mice treated with probenecid had decreased mortality, hypertrophy, TRPV2 expression and molecular parameters of heart failure. Probenecid treatment also decreased apoptosis as evidenced by an increase in the level of Bcl-2/Bax. Probenecid improved survival in a novel mouse model of PPCM and may be an appropriate therapy for humans with PPCM as it has a proven safety and tolerability in patients with heart failure.

Prognostic nutritional index as a novel marker for prediction of prognosis in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy

The clinical significance of poor nutritional status in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is not clearly understood. Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is a simple nutritional assessment tool, which was first demonstrated to be valuable in patients with colorectal surgeries. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of PNI in patients with PPCM.A total of 92 patients diagnosed with PPCM were enrolled in this study. PNI was calculated using the following formula: 10 × serum albumin value (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count. The primary endpoint was defined as composite adverse cardiac events that included cardiac death or hospitalization due to worsening heart failure (HF). Cardiac death, hospitalization due to worsening HF, and persistent left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction were evaluated, respectively, as secondary endpoints.Primary composite endpoint was higher in the lower PNI group. After adjusting for other risk factors, PNI was found to be as an independent predictor of primary composite endpoint (odds ratio 0.805; 95% confidence interval 0.729-0.888; P < .001). In addition, PNI was significantly associated with secondary endpoints; persistent LV systolic dysfunction as well as cardiac death.This study identified nutritional status assessed by the PNI seems to be a novel predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with PPCM.

Exacerbations of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy and postpartum

Autoimmune diseases represent a complex heterogeneous group of disorders that occur as a results of immune homeostasis dysregulation and loss of self-tolerance. Interestingly, more than 80% of the cases are found among women at reproductive age. Normal pregnancy is associated with remarkable changes in the immune and endocrine signaling required to tolerate and support the development and survival of the placenta and the semi-allogenic fetus in the hostile maternal immune system environment. Gravidity and postpartum represent an extremely challenge period, and likewise the general population, women suffering from autoimmune disorders attempt pregnancy. Effective preconception counseling and subsequent gestation and postpartum follow-up are crucial for improving mother and child outcomes. This comprehensive review provides information about the different pathways modulating autoimmune diseases activity and severity, such as the influence hormones, microbiome, infections, vaccines, among others, as well as updated recommendations were needed, in order to offer those women better medical care and life quality.

Prolactin and autoimmunity: The hormone as an inflammatory cytokine

Nowadays, more than 80 autoimmune disorders are recognized, in which an aberrant immune response against different organs and tissues plays a crucial role. Hormonal homeostasis has great influence in achieving competent and healthy immune system function. Prolactin has a bioactive function acting as a hormone and a cytokine. It influences the immune system modulation, mainly inhibiting the negative selection of autoreactive B lymphocytes. Hyperprolactinemia has been detected in many patients with different autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, systemic sclerosis, among others, and its believed to play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis. A direct correlation between prolactin levels and disease activity was not clear. Genetic factors may have a role in humans as in animal models. Dopamine agonists have proven to offer clinical benefits among autoimmune patients and represent a promising therapy to be explored. In this review, the authors attempt to provide a critical overview on the role of prolactin in the immune system, exploring its contribution to the development of autoimmune diseases.

The Use of Echocardiography and Advanced Cardiac Ultrasonography During Pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pregnancy is a time of significant cardiovascular change. Echocardiography is the primary imaging modality used to assess cardiovascular anatomy and physiology during pregnancy. Both two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and advanced cardiac ultrasound modalities play pivotal roles in identifying and monitoring these changes, especially in women with preexisting or new cardiac disease. This paper reviews the role of echocardiography and advanced cardiac ultrasound during normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by hypertensive disorders, valvular disorders, and cardiomyopathy. It also examines the role of echocardiography in guiding decisions about delivery.

RECENT FINDINGS

The data establishing normal echo parameters during pregnancy are inconsistent. In addition, there is limited research exploring the role of advanced cardiac ultrasound modalities, such as tissue Doppler imaging or speckle tracking echocardiography, in assessing cardiac function during pregnancy. What data there are suggest that these advanced modalities can be used to identify subclinical changes before traditional echocardiography can, and thus have clear utility in identifying early abnormal cardiac responses to pregnancy. Echocardiography is the modality of choice for imaging the heart in pregnant women. Advanced ultrasound modalities increasingly play a role in identifying abnormal adaptations to pregnancy and detecting subclinical changes. This, in turn, can help promote a healthy pregnancy for both mother and fetus.

Fragmented QRS as a candidate marker for left ventricular nonrecovery in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complex, with various morphology, has been recently described as a diagnostic criterion of several cardiac diseases. However, there are little data regarding the prognostic role of fQRS in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) patients. We aimed to investigate the effect of fQRS on predicting left ventricular (LV) nonrecovery in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).

METHODS

Ninety patients (mean age: 34.7 ± 6.5 years) with the diagnosis of PPCM were analyzed retrospectively. The median follow-up period of was 67.0 (12.0-192.0) months. Fragmented QRS was defined as the presence of various RSR' patterns (QRS duration < 120 ms) with or without Q wave, which include an additional R wave (R' prime) or notching of the R wave or S wave, or the presence of more than one R' (fragmentation) without typical bundle branch block. Recovery of LV function was defined as the presence of LV ejection fraction (EF) >45%.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 54 (60%) did not recover LV function at the last follow-up visit (nonrecovery group), while 36 of the patients (40%) exhibited LV recovery (recovery group). LV ejection fraction (EF) and fQRS were identified as independent predictors of LV nonrecovery in patients with PPCM (odds ratio OR: 5.546, 95% confidence interval CI: 0.792-0.979, p = .019 and OR: 5.986, 95% CI: 1.313-11.787, p = .014, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our data firstly indicated that presence of fQRS was a significant predictor of LV nonrecovery in patients with PPCM. The fQRS might assist in identifying high-risk patients.

A novel marker of persistent left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy: monocyte count- to- HDL cholesterol ratio

Background

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of pregnancy. There is limited data regarding the predictors of persistent left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Recently, monocyte-to-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio (MHR) has emerged as a novel indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress. We aimed to assess the predictive value of MHR on LV recovery in patients with PPCM.

Methods

A total of 64 patients with PPCM who admitted to our tertiary reference hospital between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Demographic and clinical data, laboratory parameters and echocardiographic findings were recorded. The duration of follow-up was at least 12 months after diagnosis for all participants. Recovery of LV systolic function was defined as the presence of LV ejection fraction (LV EF) > 45%. Univariate analysis was used to determine the significant predictors of persistent LV systolic dysfunction (non-recovery). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to establish the cut-off values for predictors.

Results

The mean follow-up duration was 72.1 ± 5.5 months. Of the 64 patients, 35 (55%) had persistent LVSD at their last follow-up while 29 (45%) showed LV EF improvement. The baseline MHR levels were significantly higher in the non-recovery group (P < 0.001). In univariate analysis, increased MHR levels (odds ratio:1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.35; P < 0.001) significantly predicted LV non-recovery. Using a cut-off level of 9.73, MHR predicted persistent LV systolic dysfunction with a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 79%. Besides, lower baseline LVEF increased WBC and CRP levels were identified as predictors of LV non-recovery.

Conclusions

Our data firstly indicated that elevated MHR was a significant predictor of persistent LV systolic dysfunction in PPCM. The MHR might contribute to determining high-risk patients with PPCM.

Interdisciplinary Approach to an Unusual Case of Myocarditis in Pregnancy

We present a case of myocarditis in a 26-year-old pregnant woman at 29 weeks gestation. Despite optimal medical therapy, she experienced a cardiac arrest 10 days postadmission. An interdisciplinary team facilitated emergency delivery of her baby by perimortem (ie, during maternal cardiac arrest) Caesarean section and initiation of emergency mechanical circulatory support. A cardiac biopsy revealed a mixed eosinophilic and histiocytic infiltrate. After a course of steroid therapy, she experienced full recovery. Both the patient and the infant are alive and well. The case highlights the success of modern interdisciplinary care, as well as ongoing gaps in our knowledge of myocarditis.

The prognostic value of positive T wave in lead aVR: A novel marker of adverse cardiac outcomes in peripartum cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an uncommon complication of pregnancy. Clinical courses of PPCM are markedly heterogeneous. Positive T waves in lead aVR (TaVR) are shown to be associated with adverse cardiac events in several cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and prognostic role of positive TaVR in patients with PPCM.

METHODS

A total of 82 patients (mean age 29.1 ± 6.3 years) with the diagnosis of PPCM were enrolled. Presentation electrocardiogram (ECG) was investigated for presence of a positive TaVR. The median follow-up duration was 67.0 months. The primary endpoint was defined as composite cardiac events, including cardiac death, arrhythmic events, or persistent left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

RESULTS

Patients with positive T wave in lead aVR showed higher rates for persistent left ventricular systolic dysfunction, arrhythmic events, and cardiac death compared to patients without it. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for other confounding factors, the presence of positive TaVR was found to be as an independent and strong predictor of primary composite endpoint (odds ratio 6.21, 95% CI 1.45-26.51; p = 0.014). In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, both primary and secondary endpoints occurred more frequently in the positive TaVR group. Using the cut-off level of 0.25 mV, T-wave amplitude in lead aVR predicted primary endpoint with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSION

Positive T wave in lead aVR, as a simple and feasible electrocardiographic marker, seems to be a novel predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with PPCM.

Prolactin, autoimmunity, and motherhood: when should women avoid breastfeeding?

The sexual dimorphic prevalence of autoimmunity represents one of the most alluring observations among the mosaic of autoimmunity. Sex hormones are believed to be a mainstay of this asymmetry. The greater prevalence of autoimmunity among fertile women, disease onset/relapses during pregnancy, and postpartum are some of the points that support this theory. Undeniably, motherhood represents one of the most remarkable challenges for the immune system that not only has to allow for the conceptus but also deal with extraordinary hormonal alterations. Prolactin has a recognized immune-stimulatory effect, mainly inhibiting the negative selection of autoreactive B lymphocytes. In accordance, hyperprolactinemia has been associated with several autoimmune diseases, interfering with its pathogenesis and activity. During the pregnancy and lactation period, assorted autoimmune patients experience relapses, suggesting an active interference from increased levels of prolactin. This association was found to be significant in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and peripartum cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, treatment with bromocriptine has shown beneficial effects specially among systemic lupus erythematosus patients. In this review, we attempt to provide a critical overview of the link between prolactin, autoimmune diseases, and motherhood, emphasizing whether breastfeeding should be avoided among women, both with diagnosed disease or high risk for its development.

Prolactin and Autoimmunity

The great asymmetry of autoimmune diseases between genders represents one of the most enigmatic observations among the mosaic of autoimmunity. Sex hormones are believed to play a crucial role on this dimorphism. The higher prevalence of autoimmunity among women at childbearing ages, disease onset/relapses during pregnancy, and post-partum are some of the arguments that support this hypothesis. Certainly, motherhood represents one of the most remarkable challenges for the immune system, which not only has to allow for the conceptus, but also has to deal with complex endocrine alterations. Hormonal homeostasis is known to exert a crucial influence in achieving a competent and healthy immune system. Prolactin (PRL) has a bioactive function acting as a hormone and a cytokine. It interferes with immune system modulation, mainly inhibiting the negative selection of autoreactive B lymphocytes. Likewise, hyperprolactinemia has been described in relation to the pathogenesis and activity of several autoimmune disorders. Dopamine is an effective inhibitor of PRL secretion due to either a direct influence on the hypophysis or stimulation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the hypothalamus, arousing the release of the PRL inhibitory factor. Hence, dopamine agonists have proven to offer clinical benefits among autoimmune patients and represent a promising therapy to be explored. In this review, we attempt to provide a critical overview of the link between PRL, autoimmune diseases, and motherhood.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in Intensive Care Unit: An Update

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a systolic heart failure that occurs during the last month of pregnancy or within 5 months after delivery. It is an uncommon disease of unknown etiopathogenesis and has a very high rate of maternal mortality. Because of similarity between symptoms of PPCM and physiological discomforts during pregnancy, the early diagnosis of PPCM presents a major challenge. Since hemodynamic changes during PPCM can vitally jeopardize the mother and the fetus, patients with severe forms of PPCM require a multidisciplinary approach in intensive care units. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about the diagnosis, monitoring, and the treatment of PPCM. Having reviewed the recent researches, it gives insight into the new treatment strategies of this rare disease.

Reversion of Severe Mitral Insufficiency in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Using Levosimendan

Idiopathic peripartum cardiomyopathy presenting with heart failure is a true diagnostic and treatment challenge. Goal oriented clinical management aims at the relapse of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. A 35-year-old patient on her 12th day post-delivery presents progressive signs of heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe mitral insufficiency, mild left ventricular dysfunction, mild tricuspid insufficiency, severe pulmonary hypertension, and right atrial enlargement. With wet and cold heart failure signs, the patient was a candidate for inodilator cardiovascular support and volume depletion therapy. As the patient presented a persistent tachycardia at rest, levosimendan was chosen over dobutamine. Levosimendan was administered at a dose of 0.2 µg/kg/min during a period of 24 hours. After inodilator therapy, the patient's signs and symptoms of heart failure began to decrease, showing improvement of dyspnea, mitral murmur grade went from IV/IV to II/IV, filling pressures and systemic and pulmonary resistance indexes decreased, arterial blood gases improved, and an echocardiography performed 72 h later showed non-dilated cardiomyopathy, mild cardiac contractile dysfunction, mild mitral insufficiency, type I diastolic dysfunction and improvement of pulmonary hypertension. Cardiovascular function in peripartum cardiomyopathy tends to go back to normality in 23-41% of the cases, but in a large group of patients, severe ventricle dysfunction remains months after initial symptoms. This article describes the diagnostic process of a patient with peripartum cardiomyopathy and a successful reversion of a severe case of mitral insufficiency using levosimendan as a new therapeutic strategy in this clinical context.

Molecular mechanisms of peripartum cardiomyopathy: A vascular/hormonal hypothesis

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is characterized by the development of systolic heart failure in the last month of pregnancy or within the first 5 months postpartum. The disease affects between 1:300 and 1:3000 births worldwide. Heart failure can resolve spontaneously but often does not. Mortality rates, like incidence, vary widely based on location, ranging from 0% to 25%. The consequences of PPCM are thus often devastating for an otherwise healthy young woman and her newborn. The cause of PPCM remains elusive. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed, with mixed supporting evidence. Recent work has suggested that PPCM is a vascular disease, triggered by the profound hormonal changes of late gestation. We focus here on these new mechanistic findings, and their potential implication for understanding and treating PPCM.

Serum selenium and ceruloplasmin in nigerians with peripartum cardiomyopathy

The study aimed to determine if selenium deficiency, serum ceruloplasmin and traditional birth practices are risk factors for peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), in Kano, Nigeria. This is a case-control study carried out in three hospitals, and PPCM patients were followed up for six months. Critically low serum selenium concentration was defined as <70 µg/L. A total of 39 PPCM patients and 50 controls were consecutively recruited after satisfying the inclusion criteria. Mean serum selenium in patients (61.7 ± 14.9 µg/L) was significantly lower than in controls (118.4 ± 45.6 µg/L) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of serum selenium <70 µg/L was significantly higher among patients (76.9%) than controls (22.0%) (p < 0.001). The mean ceruloplasmin and prevalence of socio-economic indices, multiparity, pregnancy-induced hypertension, obesity and twin pregnancy were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Logistic regression showed that rural residency significantly increased the odds for serum selenium <70 µg/L by 2.773-fold (p = 0.037). Baseline serum levels of selenium and ceruloplasmin were not associated with six-month mortality. This study has shown that selenium deficiency is a risk factor for PPCM in Kano, Nigeria, and is related to rural residency. However, serum ceruloplasmin, customary birth practices and some other characteristics were not associated with PPCM in the study area.

Role of echocardiography in the management of cardiac disease in women

The widespread use of echocardiography has contributed to the early recognition of several distinct cardiac diseases in women. During pregnancy, safe monitoring of the disease process, as well as a better understanding of hemodynamics, is possible. During the use of potentially cardiotoxic drugs for breast cancer chemotherapy, echocardiographic patient monitoring is vital. Compared to men, the addition of an imaging modality to routine electrocardiogram monitoring during stress testing is more informative for diagnosing coronary disease in women. This review briefly discusses the role of echocardiography in the management of several women-specific cardiac diseases where echocardiography plays a pivotal role in disease management.

Unveiling nonischemic cardiomyopathies with cardiac magnetic resonance

Cardiomyopathy is defined as a heterogeneous group of myocardial disorders with mechanical or electrical dysfunction. Identification of the etiology is important for accurate diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, but continues to be challenging. The ability of cardiac MRI to non-invasively obtain 3D-images of unparalleled resolution without radiation exposure and to provide tissue characterization gives it a distinct advantage over any other diagnostic tool used for evaluation of cardiomyopathies. Cardiac MRI can accurately visualize cardiac morphology and function and also help identify myocardial edema, infiltration and fibrosis. It has emerged as an important diagnostic and prognostic tool in tertiary care centers for work up of patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. This review covers the role of cardiac MRI in evaluation of nonischemic cardiomyopathies, particularly in the context of other diagnostic and prognostic imaging modalities.