PERIPARTUM CARDIOMYOPATHY - A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

The objective of this article is to review the etiology, diagnosis, tr eatment, prognosis, and natural history of peripartum cardiomyopathy. The English language medical literature was accessed though MEDLINE fr om 1966 to the present; additional sources were obtained by cross-refe rencing. Because of the limited number of studies and patients, metaan alysis could not be performed; however, the existing data regarding th e etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of peripartum cardiomy opathy are presented. Approximately 1000 U.S. women will have peripart um cardiomyopathy this year, and for many it will be fatal. The etiolo gy of this disease remains uncertain, but current evidence suggests my ocarditis of viral, autoimmune, or idiopathic origin. The utility of i mmunosuppressive therapy remains ambiguous; however, other advances in medical therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy and cardiac transplantatio n have significantly improved quality of life and survival for patient s. As the initial patient contact, obstetricians and family practition ers must recognize this malady early and rapidly institute the proper medical therapy directed toward the congestive state.