%0 Journal Article
%T Incident stroke in individuals with peripartum cardiomyopathy.
%A Ibeh C
%A Kulick ER
%A Boehme AK
%A Friedman AM
%A Miller EC
%A Bello NA
%J Am Heart J
%V 275
%N 0
%D 2024 Jun 21
%M 38908422
%F 5.099
%R 10.1016/j.ahj.2024.06.006
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a form of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) that occurs during the final month of pregnancy through the first 5 months postpartum, is associated with heightened risk for maternal morbidity and mortality. Stroke is a common complication of HFrEF but there is limited data on the incidence of stroke in PPCM.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Using statewide, nonfederal administrative data from 2000 to 2015, we analyzed age-adjusted risk of stroke within 3 years after PPCM-associated pregnancies.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>PPCM was associated with a greater than 4-fold increased risk of pregnancy-related stroke (aHR 4.7, 95% CI: 3.0-7.5). This risk was highest at the time of PPCM diagnosis but remained elevated in the first postpartum year.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our findings confirm the strong association between PPCM and stroke, with risk that persists throughout and after the peripartum period.