HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chapa, J. B. Articles by Hibbard, J. U. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Chapa, J. B. Articles by Hibbard, J. U. Related Collections Medical complications of pregnancy

Prognostic Value of Echocardiography in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Jeff B. Chapa, MD^*, Heather B. Heiberger, MD^*, Lynn Weinert, RDCM, Jeanne DeCara, MD, Roberto M. Lang, MD and Judith U. Hibbard, MD^*

From the *Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Internal Medicine, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether echocardiography findings at the time of diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy are predictive of persistent cardiac dysfunction.

METHODS: Chart review of patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy between 1988 and 2001 was performed. Data from echocardiography, including fractional shortening and left ventricular end diastolic dimension, were recorded both at the time of diagnosis and at follow-up. Left ventricular dysfunction was defined by echocardiography as fractional shortening less than 30% and left ventricular end diastolic dimension of 4.8 cm or more.

RESULTS: Of 32 patients meeting our definition for peripartum cardiomyopathy and for whom follow-up data were available, 13 (41%) had recovery of ventricular function, while 19 (59%) continued to have persistent left ventricular dysfunction. Those who did not recover cardiac function had a higher left ventricular end diastolic dimension and a lower fractional shortening at diagnosis than those who recovered. A fractional shortening value less than 20% and a left ventricular end diastolic dimension 6 cm or greater at the time of diagnosis was associated with a more than 3-fold higher risk for persistent left ventricular dysfunction.

CONCLUSION: Along with being an important diagnostic tool in peripartum cardiomyopathy, echocardiography may provide significant prognostic information with regards to recovery of cardiac function.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III