Peripartum cardiomyopathy: Clinical key to diagnosis

Abstract

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an idio-pathic cardiomyopathy that is caused by heart failure secondary to a dysfunction of the left ventricle at the end of pregnancy or in the first months following childbirth. The diagnosis is performed by electrocar-diogram, radiography of the thorax and increase of na-triuretic peptides. Bedside radiography can contribute with data that help early diagnosis. Treatment is carried out following clinical guidelines for heart failure, taking into account potentially teratogenic drugs. The importance of this pathology lies in that it affects women at a fertile age and is potentially mortal, which is why there must be a high index of suspicion for its diagnosis and a differential diagnosis with other entities. In this clinical note we present a series of cases of PPCM with the goal of reviewing the diagnosis and treatment of this entity.