Clinical profiles of peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Hyung, Hee Sun; Choi, Seong Jin; Yoo, Byung Soo; Cho, Mahn Gyu; Park, Sang Jun; Park, Su Jeong; Han, Kyoung Hee; Chung, In Bai

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2006;49(1):18-23.
Published online January 1, 2006.

Clinical profiles of peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Hee Sun Hyung, Seong Jin Choi, Byung Soo Yoo, Mahn Gyu Cho, Sang Jun Park, Su Jeong Park, Kyoung Hee Han, In Bai Chung

¹Depatment of Obstrectrics and Gynecology, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea. Qwerty@wonju.yonsei.ac.kr
²Depatment of Cardiology, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To analyze the clinical characteristic of peripartum cardiomyopathy. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken on records of women who were diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy at Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju Christian Hospital between January 1994 and December 2004. We made criteria for its diagnosis, namely: (1) developement of heart failure in the last month of pregnancy or within 5 months after delivery, (2) absence of a determinable etiology for the cardiac failure, and (3) absence of demonstrable heart disease prior to the last month of pregnancy. (4) ejection fraction less than 45%. RESULTS: During the research period, 8 pregnant women were documented as peripartum cardiomyopathy. All of the women undertook echocardiography. Three women were complicated with pregnancy induced hypertension. One woman was in cardiogenic shock. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of the peripartum cardiomyopathy is extremely important. The echocardiography can provide helpful information on disease progression.

Key Words: Peripartum cardiomyopathy, Echocardiography