Association of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy with Pre-eclampsia and Maternal Outcome

Objective: To determine the Prevalence of Pre-eclampsia in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and to compare the maternal outcome in cases of PPCM who develop pre-eclampsia with those cases who are normotensive.

Study design: This is a prospective observational study.

Setting: Study carried out at department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Liaquat university hospital Hyderabad from 20th February 2019 to 19th February 2020.

Materials and methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and department of Cardiology Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad. Inclusion criteria were patients admitted with a diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy diagnosed clinically and confirmed by echocardiography. Exclusion criteria were cases with multiple pregnancies, smokers, those with chronic hypertension and chronic renal disease or diabetes. We assessed patients for pre-eclampsia. Outcome measures studied were serious maternal complications like Pulmonary oedema, Cardiogenic shock, intensive care unit admission, and death.

Results: During one year study period, there were 71 cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy. The mean age of patients was 29.77±6.8 years. Pre-eclampsia was seen in 62% cases of Peripartum cardiomyopathy. Mean ejection fraction was 33.24±6.49. In patients of PPCM, serious maternal complications including cardiogenic shock 11(15.5%) cases, intensive care unit admission 10(14.1%) cases, pulmonary oedema 35(49.3%) cases and prolonged hospitalization 58(81.7%) cases.

Conclusion: We conclude that pre-eclampsia has high prevalence in patients with PPCM. Both when combined, significantly increase the chances of serious maternal complications including death.