Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of new-onset heart failure that has a high rate of maternal morbidity and mortality. This was the first study to systematically investigate and compare clinical factors and echocardiographic findings between women with PPCM and co-incident hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD-PPCM) and PPCM-only women. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework. We used four databases and a single search engine, namely PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane. We used Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) 2.0 for quality assessment. Databases were searched for relevant articles published from 2013 to the end of April 2023. The meta-analysis used the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model to analyze the pooled mean difference (MD) and its p-value. We included four studies with a total of 64,649 participants and found that systolic blood pressure was significantly more likely to be associated with the PPCM group than the HPD-PPCM group (SMD = -1.63) (95% CI; -4.92,0.28, p = 0.01), while the other clinical profiles were not significant. HPD-PPCM was less likely to be associated with LVEF reduction (SMD = -1.55, [CI: -2.89, -0.21], p = 0.02). HPD-PPCM was significantly associated with less LV dilation (SMD = 1.81; 95% (CI 0.07-3.01), p = 0.04). Moreover, HPD-PPCM was less likely to be associated with relative wall thickness reduction (SMD = 0.70; 95% CI (-1.08--0.33), p = 0.0003). In conclusion, PPCM and HPD-PPCM shared different clinical profiles and remodeling types, which may affect each disease\'s response to pharmacological treatment. Patients with HPD-PPCM exhibited less eccentric remodeling and seemed to have a higher chance of recovering their LV ejection fraction, which means they might not benefit as much from ACEi/ARB and beta-blockers. The findings of this study will guide the development of guidelines for women with PPCM and HPD-PPCM from early detection to further management.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare type of heart failure manifesting towards the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery, in the absence of any other cause of heart failure. There is a wide range of incidence across countries reflecting different population demographics, uncertainty over definitions and under-reporting. Race, ethnicity, multiparity and advanced maternal age are considered important risk factors for the disease. Its etiopathogenesis is incompletely understood and is likely multifactorial, including hemodynamic stresses of pregnancy, vasculo-hormonal factors, inflammation, immunology and genetics. Affected women present with heart failure secondary to reduced left ventricular systolic function (LVEF <45%) and often with associated phenotypes such as LV dilatation, biatrial dilatation, reduced systolic function, impaired diastolic function, and increased pulmonary pressure. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, endomyocardial biopsy, and certain blood biomarkers aid in diagnosis and management. Treatment for peripartum cardiomyopathy depends on the stage of pregnancy or postpartum, disease severity and whether the woman is breastfeeding. It includes standard pharmacological therapies for heart failure, within the safety restrictions for pregnancy and lactation. Targeted therapies such as bromocriptine have shown promise in early, small studies, with large definitive trials currently underway. Failure of medical interventions may require mechanical support and transplantation in severe cases. Peripartum cardiomyopathy carries a high mortality rate of up to 10% and a high risk of relapse in subsequent pregnancies, but over half of women present normalization of LV function within a year of diagnosis.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex clinical syndrome with a high mortality rate. It can occur to due to multiple etiologies of cardiovascular disease and is phenotypically heterogeneous. Acute myocardial infarction-related CS (AMI-CS) has historically been the most prevalent cause, and thus, research and guidance have focused primarily on this. Recent data suggest that the burden of non-ischemic CS is increasing in the population of patents requiring intensive care admission. There is, however, a paucity of data and guidelines to inform the management of these patients who fall into two broad groups: those with existing heart failure and CS and those with no known history of heart failure who present with \"de novo\" CS. The use of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has expanded across all etiologies, despite its high cost, resource intensity, complication rates, and lack of high-quality outcome data. Herein, we discuss the currently available evidence on the role of MCS in the management of patients with de novo CS to include fulminant myocarditis, right ventricular (RV) failure, Takotsubo syndrome, post-partum cardiomyopathy, and CS due to valve lesions and other cardiomyopathies.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an uncommon disorder of the cardiovascular system and is linked to high rates of morbidity and mortality. It is an idiopathic condition characterized by left ventricular systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction of approximately 45% near the end of pregnancy or immediately after delivery. Anesthesia management in these women is challenging due to low physiological reserve and potential negative effects on the fetus. To ensure that mother and child are supported safely through delivery, careful anesthesia control is required. Here, in this review article, we discuss the anesthetic implications in preoperative, operative, and postoperative phases in women with perioperative cardiomyopathy undergoing vaginal delivery or cesarean section.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an important cause of heart failure (HF) in northern Nigeria and many other regions of the world. Although the aetiology is unknown, several aetiopathogenic mechanisms have been proposed, including myocarditis, vasculo-hormonal (16-kDa prolactin and Cathepsin D), genetic susceptibility and selenium deficiency hypotheses. The peripartum cardiomyopathy in Nigeria (PEACE) registry has revealed that three socioeconomic factors (lack of formal education, unemployment, underweight status), pre-eclampsia and selenium deficiency were independently associated with higher risk for PPCM. However the customary postpartum practices previously implicated in the aetio-pathogenesis of postpartum cardiac failure, comprising regular hot baths and pap enriched with dried lake salt, were not associated with PPCM. Maternal age <20 years, tachycardia, hypotension and ejection fraction <25% independently increased the risk for mortality. Regular use of beta-blockers and obesity were independently associated with higher survival, and selenium supplementation is a promising treatment strategy for PPCM.
La cardiomyopathie du péripartum (PPCM) est une cause importante d’insuffisance cardiaque (IC) dans le nord du Nigeria et dans de nombreuses autres régions du monde. Bien que l ’ét iol ogi e soi t i nconnue, pl usi eurs mécani smes éti opat hogéni ques ont ét é proposés, not amment les hypothèses de myocardite, vasculo-hormonale (prolactine 16kDa et cathepsine D), de susceptibilité génétique et de carence en sélénium. Le registre PEACE (peripartum cardiomyopathy in Nigeria) a révélé que trois facteurs socio-économiques (absence d’éducation formelle, chômage, insuffisance pondérale), la pré-éclampsie et la carence en sélénium étaient indépendamment associés à un risque plus élevé de PPCM. Cependant , l es prat iques post-part um habit uel l es, précédemment i mpl iquées dans l’éti opat hogéni e de l’insuffisance cardiaque post-partum, comprenant des bains chauds réguliers et des bouillies enrichies de sel de lac séché, n’étaient pas associées au PPCM. L’âge maternel <20 ans, la tachycardie, l’hypotension et la fraction d’éjection <25% augmentaient indépendamment le risque de mortalité. L’utilisation régulière de bêta-bloquants et l’obésité étaient indépendamment associées à une survie plus élevée, et la supplémentation en sélénium est une stratégie de traitement prometteuse pour le PPCM. . Mots clés: Cardiomyopathie du péripartum; Facteurs de risque; Étiologie; résultats.

Cardiovascular disease includes many diseases such as heart failure, cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, pericardial disease, peripheral vascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and vascular disease to name a few. Cardiovascular disease in pregnancy is on the rise especially with women being pregnant at an older age. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) could be a factor in determining the severity. BNP is elevated in heart failure. This study will attempt to determine the relationship between BNP and pregnancy outcomes in women with heart failure. A keyword combination search was performed using varying databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were implemented and relevant articles were obtained to formulate ideas to support the topic. BNP, the amino acid peptide, is secreted by both atrial and ventricular monocytes. BNP and N-terminal (NT)-pro hormone BNP (NT-proBNP) are elevated in heart failure and seen in pregnant women alike. Within six to 12 weeks it returns to normal levels. Normal levels were shown to have good pregnancy outcomes in that the baby is healthy with normal birth weight and the mother is free of cardiovascular complications, whereas at elevated levels the pregnancy outcome was not favorable. NT-proBNP, when elevated in the pregnant patient, is a predictor of poor pregnancy outcomes, especially in patients with precursors. Testing for this peptide in pregnant women during the early stages of pregnancy could help determine the best course of action for a better outcome.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially lifethreatening disease, defined as idiopathic cardiomyopathy occurring towards the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery, abortion or miscarriage. We aim to raise awareness of this condition and give an overview of current knowledge as well as an insight and comparison of clinical trials focusing on randomized controlled trials.
Systematic literature searches were conducted using PubMed up to December 2021. Studies published involving clinical trials and interventions in women with PPCM after 1970 were selected.
Randomized controlled trials have shown that the addition of Bromocriptine to standardized heart failure therapy improves outcome in terms of recovery of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF), symptoms and death. Bromocriptine 2.5 mg twice daily for two weeks followed by 2.5 mg once daily for six weeks had the best trend and outcome. The addition of Levosimendan to standardized heart failure therapy had no effect, whereas the addition of Selenium improved heart failure symptoms but did not reduce risk in terms of unrecovered LVEF or death. One prospective study showed potential usage of TNF-alfa inhibitors, but was never tried in a randomized clinical trial.
PPCM is a rare and potentially fatal disease. New insights on pathophysiology, genetics and clinical studies, particularly randomized controlled trials, have shown that the addition of Bromocriptine has a beneficial effect in terms of improved LVEF and death. However, some clinical studies have shown promising results using anti-inflammatory pharmacological agents with an improvement in LVEF. We suggest that targeting an anti-inflammatory route may prove beneficial in patients with PPCM. However, further research is highly warranted.

The aetiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is still not clear, and it is unknown who would recover from PPCM. In this meta-analysis, for the first time, we aimed to explore the prognostic value of potential baseline factors that may help predict recovery in patients with PPCM.
A systematic approach following the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guideline was taken by using appropriate keywords in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases. Studies that had compared different clinical and paraclinical markers at the time of diagnosis related to cardiovascular function between recovered and non-recovered patients with PPCM were included. To find potential predictors of recovery, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated for different parameters using the random-effects model.
Eighteen cohort studies including 1047 patients with PPCM were enrolled. Six markers out of the 11 potentially eligible markers were associated with PPCM recovery. Baseline echocardiographic parameters [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR = 4.84 [2.53; 9.26]), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (OR = 3.67 [2.58; 5.23]), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (OR = 3.99 [2.27; 7.02]), and fractional shortening (OR = 6.14 [1.81; 20.85])] were strong predictors of PPCM recovery. Systolic blood pressure (OR = 2.16 [1.38; 3.38]) and diastolic blood pressure (OR = 2.06 [1.07; 3.96]) at diagnosis were also associated with recovery.
Patients with PPCM who have a higher baseline LVEF, lower left ventricular diameters, and higher blood pressure levels have a greater chance to recover from PPCM.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) remains a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease is associated with various complications occurring mainly early during its course. Reported adverse outcomes include decompensated heart failure, thromboembolic complications, arrhythmias and death. We sought to systematically and comprehensively review published literature on the management and outcome of women with PPCM across different geographical regions and to identify possible predictors of adverse outcomes.
We performed a comprehensive search of relevant literature (2000 to June 2021) across a number of electronic databases. Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies, as well as control arms of randomized controlled trials reporting on 6- and/or 12-month outcomes of PPCM were considered eligible (PROSPERO registration: CRD42021255654). Forty-seven studies (4875 patients across 60 countries) met the inclusion criteria. Haemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters were similar across all continents. All-cause mortality was 8.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5-10.8, I2  = 79.1%) at 6 months and 9.8% (95% CI 6.2-14.0, I2  = 80.5%) at 12 months. All-cause mortality was highest in Africa and Asia/Pacific. Overall, 44.1% (95% CI 36.1-52.2, I2  = 91.7%) of patients recovered their left ventricular (LV) function within 6 months and 58.7% (95% CI 48.1-68.9, I2  = 75.8%) within 12 months. Europe and North America reported the highest prevalence of LV recovery. Frequent prescription of beta-blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker and bromocriptine/cabergoline were associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality and better LV recovery.
We identified significant global differences in 6- and 12-month outcomes in women with PPCM. Frequent prescription of guideline-directed heart failure therapy was associated with better LV recovery and lower all-cause mortality. Timely initiation and up-titration of heart failure therapy should therefore be strongly encouraged to improve outcome in PPCM.

The outcome of this review is to assess the association between pre-pregnancy obesity and PPCM incidence. There were a total of 5.373.581 participants were included in this study. Pre-pregnancy obesity was significantly associated with PPCM incidence compared to normal-weight subjects (OR = 1.79 (1.16,2.76); p = 0.008; I2 = 59%, Pheterogeneity = 0.04). The sub-group analysis showed that pre-pregnancy women with obesity class I (OR = 1.58 (1.20,2.07); p = 0.001; I2 = 0%, Pheterogeneity = 0.64) and class II and III (OR = 2.65 (2.04,3.45); p < 0.001; I2 = 6%, Pheterogeneity = 0.36) was significantly associated with PPCM incidence compared to normal-weight subjects.