Definition:
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy is a form of a dilated cardiomyopathy. It is described as the deterioration in cardiac function usually in periods between the late pregnancy months up to five months of postpartum. Patients usually have no history relating to any heart disease with no other causes of the heart failure. Peripartum cardiomyopathy involves decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction which is associated with congestive heart failure as well as an elevated risk of having atrial and ventricular arrhythmias or even a sudden cardiac death.
Diagnosis:
The use of Echocardiogram is the most common method to diagnose Peripartum cardiomyopathy as well as monitor how effective the treatment is.
Treatment:
Treatment for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy is like treating congestive heart failure. It includes use of diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta blockers right after giving birth or giving the woman some hydralzine/nitrates before giving brith.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy includes orthopnea or the patients' difficulty breathing while lying on the bed flat, shortness of breath when exerting effort, pitting edema or swelling, frequent urination at night, cough, excessive increase in weight during the last months of being pregnant, palpitations, and chest pain. Some women will also have liver failure five weeks after giving birth.
Causes:
The cause of Peripartum cardiomyopathy is still unknown as of present time.
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