Peri-partum cardiomyopathy

    
      Re: Peri-partum cardiomyopathy
    


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Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - HSB on November 13, 1997 at 14:04:02:

In Reply to: Peri-partum cardiomyopathy posted by Amy  on October 10, 1997 at 21:38:04:

: I'll try to keep this question brief because I'm the only one that I've ever heard with this kind of situation and not everyone would be interested.  I was diagnosed with peri-partum cardiomyopathy 3 weeks after I had my son.  I'm not quite satisfied with the diagnosis because I had a very severe connective tissue disorder (that they never really could diagnose) during my pregnancy and think it too much of a coincidence to have both conditions happen independently in the same pregnancy.  Do you know of any virus or other condition that would cause both of these things to happen?  Sorry for the bizarre question and thank you so much for allowing me to ask it!!!
  Amy
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Dear Amy:
I am sorry about the delay in answering your question.  We had some logistical problems which have been rectified and long delays will no longer occur.
Post-partum cardiomyopathy is diagnosed when signs and symptoms of congestive heart secondary to a dilated cardiomyopathy failure (fluid retention, shortness of breath, fatigue, anorexia)  appear just prior to or immediately after delivery.  Furthermore,  other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy must be ruled out.
The incidence of post-partum cardiomyopathy is greatest during the third decades of life, in multiparas, twin pregnancies and among African American females.  The etiology remains unknown.  Treatment consists of salt restriction, diuretics, digoxin, & vasodilators (ACE inhibitors).  The prognosis varies and  approximately 50% of women recover completely.  The remainder either deteriorate further or stabilize.   The risk of recurrence or exacerbation is high among women who become pregnant again; therefore, subsequent pregnancy is strongly discouraged.
Collagen vascular diseases can also affect the heart; however, they usually do not present as dilated cardiomyopathies.  
I hope that this information proves useful.  If you would like to be evaluated at the Cleveland Clinic, an appointment can be made with one of our heart failure specialist by calling 1-800-CCF-CARE.