Peripartum cardiomyopathy: experience in an Asian tertiary centre.
- Author:
Choon Pin LIM
1
;
David Kheng Leng SIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Cardiology; methods; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; complications; diagnosis; therapy; Echocardiography; methods; Female; Humans; Hypertension; complications; diagnosis; Pre-Eclampsia; diagnosis; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Puerperal Disorders; diagnosis; therapy; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Singapore; Smoking; adverse effects; Tertiary Care Centers
- From:Singapore medical journal 2013;54(1):24-27
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTIONPeripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but life-threatening condition. We report 11 patients admitted to the National Heart Centre Singapore with a diagnosis of PPCM over a period of 14 months.
METHODSBaseline demographics, pregnancy history, haematology, serum biochemistry and echocardiographic findings of women admitted with a diagnosis of PPCM were analysed.
RESULTSThe incidence of PPCM was 0.89 per 1,000 live births in our cohort. 63.6% of the patients were Malay and 27.3% were Chinese. 45.5% of the patients were smokers and 45.5% had a history of pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia. There was no maternal mortality. Mean left ventricular ejection fractions at diagnosis and at six months were 26.9% ± 9.1% and 51.9% ± 10.6%, respectively. Mean left ventricular internal diameters in end-diastole at diagnosis and at six months were 5.5 ± 0.5 cm and 5.1 ± 0.6 cm, respectively. All patients were treated successfully for the acute episode and all but one patient had returned to New York Heart Association functional class I status at six months.
CONCLUSIONPPCM remains a rare condition and appears to occur more commonly in Malay patients. Smoking and pregnancy-induced hypertension appear to be significant risk factors. While short-term outcome remains excellent, collaborative studies with other tertiary centres will help enhance our understanding of the long-term management of and clinical outcomes in these patients.