PERIPARTUM VERSUS IDIOPATHIC DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN YOUNG-WOMEN - A COMPARISON OF CLINICAL, PATHOLOGICAL AND PROGNOSTIC FEATURES

Clinicopathologic features of 13 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy were compared to 13 women aged 19 through 38 with idiopathic dilated c ardiomyopathy. No presenting clinical or pathologic variable distingui shed either group. However, the clinical course differed between the g roups. Eleven of 13 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy ha d a poor clinical outcome, defined as persistent heart failure or deat h. Patients in this group succumbed one year or more after disease ons et. Five of 13 patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy had poor outcom e, with death occurring 9 months or less after disease onset. The clin ical course of peripartum cardiomyopathy appears distinct from that of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in young women.