[Cardiomyopathy in the peripartum period: current aspects. A multicenter study. 11 cases]

Eleven of 17 case histories recensed after an inquiry addressed to all the French university hospital cardiological departments were attributed to peripartum cardiomyopathy. Three patients (27%) needed cardiac transplantation. Predisposing factors were multiparity and twin pregnancies. Forty five per cent of patients were under 25 years of age. Hypoproteinemia was present in all serious forms of the condition. Hypoproteinemia, a cardio-thoracic ratio of over 0.60, echocardiographic left ventricular fractional shortening of under 15 per cent and presistance of symptoms after one month of medical treatment were poor prognostic factors. The relatively high incidence of myocarditis (1 out of 11 cases) justifies endomyocardial biopsy.