Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Risks Diagnosis and Management

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a comprehensive and contemporary review

Cardiovascular disease is a major non-communicable disease globally, with increasing prevalence, posing a significant public health challenge. It is the leading non-obstetric cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, with a substantial number of cardiac fatalities occurring in individuals without any known pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a type of de novo heart failure that occurs in pregnant women in the late stages of pregnancy or following delivery. Despite extensive research, diagnosing and managing peripartum cardiomyopathy remains challenging, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Recent advancements and novel approaches have been made to better understand and manage peripartum cardiomyopathy, including molecular and non-molecular biomarkers, genetic predisposition and risk prediction, targeted therapies, multidisciplinary care, and improved patient education. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview and new perspectives on peripartum cardiomyopathy, covering its epidemiology, updated pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnosis, management, and future research directions for healthcare professionals, researchers, and clinicians.

Can heart failure phenotypes be predicted by cardiac remodelling peripartum or postpartum?

Hypertension during pregnancy affects up to 10% of pregnancies and is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In the short-term it can result in pre-eclampsia, haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, or even hypertension associated acute heart failure, all of which may necessitate pre-term delivery to prevent maternal or neonatal death. In the long term, a history of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia significantly increases the risk of future cardiovascular disease including chronic hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. This review explores our current level of knowledge of the phenotypes of heart failure, paying particular attention to those specific to women, and the role of pregnancy and non-pregnancy related risk factors in the development of this condition. We discuss why women with hypertensive pregnancy may be disproportionately affected by heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and whether a unique phenotype of heart failure unique to hypertensive pregnancy exists. Finally, we explore how future cardiovascular risk may be predicted based on cardiac remodelling during or after pregnancy and suggest potential areas of further research in the field.

Precision medicine in peripartum cardiomyopathy: advancing diagnosis and management through genomic and phenotypic integration

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare and life-threatening cardiac condition characterized by heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction, often developing in late pregnancy or the early postpartum period. Despite being a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, clinical presentation of PPCM frequently overlaps with normal pregnancy-related physiological changes, causing diagnostic delays and increased complications. Current management strategies, primarily derived from general heart failure protocols, are evolving to address the unique aspects of PPCM. This includes the development of personalized medicine approaches that integrate genetic profiling, biomarker evaluation, and clinical phenotyping. Notable genes such as titin (TTN), Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3), and lamin A/C (LMNA) are implicated in PPCM, revealing a complex genetic landscape similar to other cardiomyopathies. Biomarkers like N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) are under investigation for their diagnostic and prognostic value, indicating that personalized treatments hold the promise of enhancing diagnostic precision and therapeutic outcomes by tailoring interventions to individual patient profiles. This review article aims to highlight how integrating genetic and phenotypic data can establish a novel framework for managing PPCM, potentially transforming treatment paradigms and improving long-term outcomes.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report of Mortality From a Rare and Potentially Fatal Condition

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) poses a significant challenge in maternal health, characterized by heart failure with reduced ejection fraction during late pregnancy or early postpartum. Despite advances in understanding PPCM, it remains life-threatening with substantial maternal morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the epidemiology, etiology, diagnostic challenges, management strategies, and outcomes associated with PPCM. A case report of a 29-year-old woman with PPCM is presented, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and tailored management. The patient's presentation was marked by atypical symptoms, including dysuria, lumbar pain, persistent fever, and oral intake intolerance. Despite aggressive medical intervention, the patient experienced a tragic outcome, succumbing to cardiopulmonary arrest within 48 h of admission. This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing PPCM, particularly when presenting with nonspecific symptoms and emphasizes the urgent need for improved diagnostic criteria and therapeutic interventions to mitigate adverse outcomes in affected individuals.

A rare case with double trouble: Peripartum cardiomyopathy and preeclampsia together with placental abruption resulting in both cardiac and kidney failure

Peripartum cardiomyopathy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are not very uncommon in routine practice, but when associated with abruptio placentae and significant hypotension, survival of both child and mother becomes challenging. We report a case of a 20-year-old primigravida who presented in the gynecology emergency unit of our hospital with an ejection fraction of < 20%, severe preeclampsia with abruptio placentae leading to fetal demise, and renal failure in the immediate postoperative period. Challenges faced during decision making regarding the mode of delivery and grave concerns during intraoperative and postoperative periods are discussed. In this case, prompt termination of pregnancy, various point-of-care sonographic measurements, and post-operative emergency dialysis played vital roles in the complete recovery of this patient with a failing heart and grossly jeopardized hemodynamics. Hence, multidisciplinary team-based management is crucial for managing such cases to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity.

Connecting the Dots: Exploring the Interplay Between Preeclampsia and Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Preeclampsia and peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) are significant obstetric problems that can arise during or after pregnancy. Both are known to be causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. Several recent studies have suggested a link between preeclampsia and the pathophysiology of PPCM. However, the common thread that connects the two has yet to be thoroughly and fully articulated. Here, we investigate the complex dynamics of preeclampsia and PPCM in this review. Our analysis focuses mainly on inflammatory and immunological responses, endothelial dysfunction as a shared pathway, and potential genetic predisposition to both diseases. To begin, we will look at how excessive inflammatory and immunological responses can lead to clinical symptoms of both illnesses, emphasizing the role of proinflammatory cytokines and immune cells in modifying vascular and tissue responses. Second, we consider endothelial dysfunction to be a crucial point at which endothelial damage and activation contribute to pathogenesis through increased vascular permeability, vascular dysfunction, and thrombus formation. Finally, we examine recent information suggesting genetic predispositions to preeclampsia and PPCM, such as genetic variants in genes involved in the management of blood pressure, the inflammatory response, and heart structural integrity. With this synergistic study, we seek to encourage more research and creative therapy solutions by emphasizing the need for an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and managing the connection between preeclampsia and PPCM.

Postpartum cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure: A case report

Postpartum cardiomyopathy is a type of heart failure that occurs during late pregnancy or early postpartum without clear causes. It poses significant health risks. Recognition and management are crucial for better outcomes. We describe a case of a 23-year-old Ugandan woman who developed heart failure symptoms 1 month after giving birth. Physical examination revealed signs of congestive heart failure. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly, leading to a diagnosis of postpartum cardiomyopathy based on clinical criteria. Treatment involved diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, SGLT2 inhibitors, and bromocriptine. This case underscores the importance of considering postpartum cardiomyopathy in the postpartum period. Prompt diagnosis and comprehensive management through a multidisciplinary approach can improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of this condition.

Outcomes of subsequent pregnancy in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The primary concern for women who have experienced peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is the safety of a subsequent pregnancy (SSP). To maximie decision-making, facilitate effective patient counselling, and ultimately improve maternal and fetal outcomes as a whole, it is critical to comprehend the outcomes of SSP in women who have previously experienced PPCM. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of SSP in women with PPCM.

METHODS

Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect) were used to identify relevant studies prior to 17 October 2023. A total of 662 studies were reviewed. Following the abstract and full-text screenings, 18 observational studies were included, out of which 2 were deemed suitable for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

This study has a total of 487 SSPs. Although recovered left ventricular (LV) function before entering SSP has the potential to be a beneficial prognostic factor, recovered LV function still has a substantial risk of relapse. The mortality rate of PPCM in an SSP ranged from 0% to 55.5%. Persistent LV dysfunction was significantly associated with an increased mortality rate (OR 13.17; 95% CI 1.54 to 112.28; p=0.02) and lower LV ejection fraction (MD -12.88; 95% CI -21.67 to -4.09; p=0.004). Diastolic and right ventricular functions remained unchanged before SSP and at follow-up. The majority of the SSP was observed alongside hypertension, while pre-eclampsia emerged as the predominant hypertensive complication in most studies.

CONCLUSION

SSP increases the risk of relapse and mortality in women with a previous history of PPCM. Persistent LV dysfunction prior to the SSP has a higher mortality risk compared with recovered LV function. SSP was also associated with the worsening of LV echocardiography parameters.

Managing hypertension in African Americans with heart failure: A guide for the primary care clinician

Hypertension is the predominant risk factor for cardiovascular disease related morbidity and mortality among Black adults in the United States. It contributes significantly to the development of heart failure and increases the risk of death following heart failure diagnosis. It is also a leading predisposing factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and peripartum cardiomyopathy in Black women. As such, all stakeholders including health care providers, particularly primary care clinicians (including physicians and advanced practice providers), patients, and communities must be aware of the consequences of uncontrolled hypertension among Black adults. Appropriate treatment strategies should be identified and implemented to ensure timely and effective blood pressure management among Black individuals, particularly those with, and at risk for heart failure.