An update on peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare but potentially devastating complication of pregnancy. Although the definition of this condition has recently been revised by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the pathogenesis of peripartum cardiomyopathy is not well understood and relatively little is known about its incidence and prevalence. Hence, peripartum cardiomyopathy is often under-recognized in the clinical setting. A heightened awareness of this condition and its current management options is therefore warranted throughout primary and secondary care. The identification of the putative role of prolactin in the development and progression of this condition has been recently discovered, with preclinical work suggesting beneficial effects of prolactin antagonism. In this article, we review the literature regarding this condition including these recent advances.