EP12.01: Characteristics and outcome of patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy: a retrospective analysis

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCMP) is defined as acute cardiac decompensation with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% within the peripartum period. PPCMP can lead to severe medical condition requiring intensive care in previously healthy women. This work contributes information about obstetric characteristics and maternal outcome in those patients. This retrospective analysis was conducted in cooperation of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Cardiology at the Medical University of Vienna. We searched our database for all patients who were diagnosed with PPCMP at our centre between 2000-2023. The data was extracted, descriptive analysis was conducted. Correlations were calculated using Pearson's correlation. 31 patients peripartum cardiomyopathy could be identified at our clinic. In eight patients (25.8%) PPCMP was diagnosed antepartum, and the pregnancy was therefore terminated by Caesarean section. The median gestational week at diagnosis was 33.0 weeks (31.0-36.3; interquartile range-IQR). The remaining patients developed PPCMP after delivery within a median time of 3 days (1-5; IQR). The median time to diagnosis was one day (1-3;IQR). Median NT-proBNP was 4421ng/l (1171-7767; IQR). 15 patients (48.4%) were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). All patients survived and showed full recovery of the LVEF within 4 months (1-7, IQR). Our collective included 10 multiple pregnancies (32.3%). Pre-eclampsia was diagnosed in 41.9%. No significant correlation was found regarding the development of pre-eclampsia and NT-proBNP or reduced LVEF. Correlations were tested for the admission to ICU and possible risk factors. No significant correlations could be found. Our study presents the obstetrics characteristics and outcome of patients with PPCMP. In our collective PPCMP occurred mostly after delivery and showed full recovery in all patients within four months after symptom onset. We conclude that with fast diagnosis and optimal therapy, good maternal outcome can be expected.