Acute kidney injury predicts poor left ventricular function for patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy

A global perspective on the management and outcomes of peripartum cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) remains a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease is associated with various complications occurring mainly early during its course. Reported adverse outcomes include decompensated heart failure, thromboembolic complications, arrhythmias and death. We sought to systematically and comprehensively review published literature on the management, and outcome of women with PPCM across different geographical regions and to identify possible predictors of adverse outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a comprehensive search of relevant literature (2000 to June 2021) across a number of electronic databases. Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies, as well as control arms of randomised controlled trials reporting on six- and/or twelve-month outcomes of PPCM were considered eligible (PROSPERO registration: CRD42021255654). Forty-seven studies (4875 patients across 60 countries) met the inclusion criteria. Haemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters were similar across all continents. All-cause mortality was 8.0% [95% CI 5.5-10.8, I² =79.1%) at six months and 9.8% [95% CI 6.2-14.0], I² =80.5%) at twelve months, respectively. All-cause mortality was highest in Africa and Asia/Pacific. Overall, 44.1% ([95% CI 36.1-52.2], I² =91.7%) of patients recovered their LV function within six months and 58.7% ([95% CI 48.1-68.9], I² =75.8%) within twelve months, respectively. Europe and North America reported the highest prevalence of LV recovery. Frequent prescription of beta-blocker, ACE-I/ARB and bromocriptine/cabergoline were associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality and better LV recovery.

CONCLUSION

We identified significant global differences in six- and twelve-month outcomes in women with PPCM. Frequent prescription of guideline-directed heart failure therapy was associated with better LV recovery and lower all-cause mortality. Timely initiation and up-titration of heart failure therapy should therefore be strongly encouraged to improve outcome in PPCM. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Trends in Characteristics and Outcomes of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Hospitalizations in the United States Between 2004 and 2018

Data are limited on contemporary temporal trends in maternal characteristics and outcomes in hospitalized patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PC). We used the National Inpatient Sample database from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2018, to identify PC hospitalizations in women aged 15 to 54 years. Weighted survey data were used to derive national estimates for the United States population and examine trends. Between 2004 and 2018, there was a total of 23,420 weighted hospitalizations for PC in women aged 15 to 54 years. The mean (standard error) age of this hospitalized PC population was 30.3 (0.1) years, with 44.6% White, 39.3% Black, 9.0% Hispanics, and 7.1% "Other" racial/ethnic groups. There was a nonsignificant increase in the PC hospitalization per 100,000 live births from 33.6 in 2004 to 42.4 in 2018 (p-trend = 0.06) over the study period, driven by a statistically significant increase in the younger women age group 15 to 35 years (p-trend = 0.04). The PC hospitalizations per 100,000 live births for women aged 36 to 54 years were more than double that observed in women aged 15 to 35 years (77.6 vs 33.5). PC hospitalizations were more than threefold greater in Black versus White women (103.5 vs 32.0 per 100,000 live births). Overall, inpatient mortality was 0.8%; the adjusted inpatient mortality showed a nonsignificant overall decrease from 1.1% in 2004 to 0.5% in 2018 (p-trend = 0.15). The overall mean length of stay was 4.6 days; the adjusted mean length of stay decreased from 5.8 days in 2004 to 4.6 days in 2018 (p-trend <0.01). In conclusion, there has been a nonsignificant increase in hospitalizations for PC, driven by an increasing rate of hospitalizations in younger women. The older maternal age group and Black patients had a higher proportional hospitalization as compared with the younger age group and White patients. There was a nonsignificant decrease in inpatient mortality.