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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine
Published on: February 17, 2018
[Peripartum cardiomyopathy]
Nadia Bouabdallaoui1, Pascal de Groote, Frédéric Mouquet
1Pôle de cardiologie et des maladies vasculaires, CHRU Lille, F-59037 Lille Cedex, France.
Insights
Peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare heart condition, presents with heart failure during late pregnancy or postpartum. While often reversible, subsequent pregnancies are discouraged if heart function doesn't fully recover.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Context:
- Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Its etiology is multifactorial and not fully understood.
- Diagnosis relies on clinical heart failure and impaired systolic function.
Purpose:
- To outline the diagnostic criteria for peripartum cardiomyopathy.
- To identify key risk factors associated with its development.
- To describe current management strategies and prognosis.
Summary:
- PPCM diagnosis involves clinical heart failure and systolic dysfunction, excluding other cardiac conditions like myocardial infarction or myocarditis.
- Risk factors include advanced maternal age, multiparity, twin pregnancy, African origin, obesity, pre-eclampsia, and prolonged tocolytic therapy.
- Acute treatment mirrors standard heart failure management; ACE inhibitors and VKAs are contraindicated during pregnancy, with VKA discussed postpartum for low ejection fraction.
Impact:
- Approximately 50% of patients experience complete recovery of systolic function.
- The overall mortality risk associated with PPCM is low.
- Future pregnancies are generally discouraged, particularly if cardiac function remains impaired.
Abstract:
The peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of dilated cardiomyopathy. Its etiology remains unclear and is likely multifactorial. The diagnosis is based on the association of clinical heart failure and systolic dysfunction assessed by echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnosis to rule out are myocardial infarction, myocarditis, inherited cardiomyopathy, history of treatment by anthracycline. Risk factors are advance maternal age (> 30), multiparity, twin pregnancy, african origin, obesity, pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension, and prolonged tocolytic therapy. Treatment of acute phase is identical to usual treatment of acute systolic heart failure. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and VKA are contra indicated during pregnancy. After delivery, VKA treatment should be discussed in case of systolic function < 25 % because of higher risk of thrombus. Complete recovery of systolic function is observed in 50 % of the case. The mortality risk is low. Subsequent pregnancy should be discouraged, especially if systolic function did not recover.
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Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
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Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
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Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management

