peripartum cardiomyopathy

peripartum cardiomyopathy

Cardiology A rare but often fatal–50-85% mortality–form of dilated cardiomyopathy, defined as heart failure–HF occurring in the last month of pregnancy or within 5 months of delivery in absence of an identifiable cause of HF, and without demonstrable preexisting or concurrent heart disease; findings include cardiothoracic ratio > 0.55, a left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%, and a diastolic dimension > 95th percentile for age and body-surface area or recent pregnancy where heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently; ↓ heart function affects lungs, liver, and other systems Risk factors Obesity, personal or family Hx of heart disease–eg, myocarditis, use of certain drugs, smoking, alcoholism, multiple pregnancies, race, malnourishment, muscle degeneration, fibrosis