Clinical characteristics and risk factors for peripartum cardiomyopathy

Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a potentially fatal form of heart failure and the recognition of its risk factors is important for prevention and treatment. Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and the risk factors for PPCM. Methods: Echocardiographic was used to examine the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Blood level of troponin I (cTNI), high sensitive C-reaction protein (hs-CRP), NT-proBNP was measured. All PPCM occurred within weeks following delivery. Results: Fifty-two PPCM patients and 52 normal delivery subjects (control group) were included in this study. Compared with the control group, PPCM patients were older, with a higher level of blood pressure, and a higher rate of suspected respiratory infection. The level of leucocytes, hs-CRP, cTNI and NT-proBNP in PPCM patients were higher than in the control. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated plasma hs-CRP (OR =1.86, p<0.05), respiratory infection (OR = 2.87, p<0.01), and hypertension (OR =1.68, p < 0.05) were independent risk factors for PPCM. During the follow up of 21.6±5.4 d, one patient (1.9%) died probably of heart failure but other patients remained well. Conclusion: Hypertension, respiratory infection, and elevated plasma hs-CRP seem to be associated with the pathogenesis of peripartum cardiomyopathy in this patient population.