Cardiomyopathies in Pregnancy

Cardiomyopathies are uncommon but potentially life-threatening causes of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy. Pregnancy-associated hemodynamic changes may reveal unrecognized cardiomyopathy or exacerbate existing myocardial dysfunction. This review summarizes the diagnosis and management of dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and other rare cardiomyopathies during pregnancy. Our discussion will include pregnancy-specific hemodynamic considerations, risk stratification, medical management, labor and delivery planning, postpartum surveillance, and counseling regarding future pregnancy. This review does not address peripartum cardiomyopathy because it is considered separately.