What is peripartum cardiomyopathy

Many people have not heard of this disease. In fact, peripartum cardiomyopathy is a disease that occurs before and after a pregnant woman gives birth. At present, the cause of this disease is still unknown. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is more common in some older pregnant women, and its accompanying symptoms are relatively obvious. Detection at an early stage can prevent the disease from occurring.

Examination items: electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, chest X-ray

Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in this disease lack specificity. The most common ones are abnormal ST segment, flat or inverted T wave, prolonged QT interval, and abnormal Q wave, indicating myocardial damage and left ventricular hypertrophy. Various arrhythmias may be seen, with ventricular premature beats and left bundle branch block being the most common.

Chest X-ray shows pulmonary congestion, and the generally enlarged cardiac shadow and low tension are characteristic changes of this disease. If pulmonary embolism occurs, embolic shadows may be seen, accompanied by pulmonary interstitial or parenchymal edema.

Echocardiography is a valuable examination for the diagnosis of this disease. It often shows that the heart is generally enlarged, the heart chambers are enlarged, the left ventricular outflow tract is widened, the opening range of the mitral and tricuspid valves is reduced, the pulsation of the ventricular wall and ventricular septum is generally weakened, the left ventricular ejection fraction is decreased, and mural thrombus can be seen.

Cardiac catheter examination showed increased pulmonary artery pressure, increased pulmonary microvascular wedge pressure, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, increased right ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and decreased cardiac output.

Diagnosis

1. Pregnant women develop symptoms of heart enlargement and heart failure between 3 months before and 6 months after delivery.

2. The clinical features are consistent with those of dilated cardiomyopathy.