Predictors of left-ventricular recovery in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy

Introduction Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare, life-threatening disease. The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of left-ventricular (LV) recovery in patients with PPCM. Method We retrospectively reviewed the records of 20 patients with diagnosis of PPCM hospitalized in our department between 2009–2016. We collected clinical and echocardiographic data at 6 months and over one year. Multivariate analysis was performed, using logistic regression model incorporating in order to determinate predictor factors of recovery of LV. Results The mean age was 32 ± 2 years, 12 patients were multiparous, caesarean section was performed in 10 patients, 8 patients had presented severe preeclampsia. Diagnosis of PPCM was discovered in post partum in 15 cases. Dyspnea stage III and IV was the most frequent manifestation; Echocardiographic findings at admission l revealed dilatation of LV with a mean left ventricule jection fraction (LVEF) 26% (11%–40%). All patients received medical treatment of heart failure. Hospital mortality rate was of 1% because of cardiogenic shock. Nine patients (45%) had “any improvement” in LVEF within 6 months and 1 patients during a mean follow-up of 26 months, 7 patients had a complete improvement, whereas 2 had partial recovery of lv function. Factors have been shown to be associated with a higher likelihood of recovery in multivariate analysis were: postpartum diagnosis of PCCM, LVEF > 30%, LV diastolic diameter(LVEDD)  Conclusion Echocardiography appears to be extremely valuable in diagnosing PPCM, formulating prognosis of recovery and following the course of the disease which is still a mystery.