Abstract

VELASQUEZ V, Jorge E  and  DUQUE R, Mauricio. Peripartum cardiomyopathy. Rev. Col. Cardiol. [online]. 2008, vol.15, n.1, pp.5-11. ISSN 0120-5633.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a clinical entity with a variable frequency according to the zone of the study. It is characterized by a systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle and posterior appearance of heart failure symptoms that occur during the last month of pregnancy and the first post-partum months. Its etiology isn&39;t still clear, but different theories are proposed based on inflammatory, infectious and auto-immune processes. Alterations related to oxidative stress that could largely explain this pathology were recently described. Its clinical presentation has a big similitude with all other causes of heart failure although atypical presentations have been described. Its diagnosis requires a high suspicion level and must be considered in any woman with symptoms of heart failure during the peripartum. The conventional treatment of chronic heart failure that includes beta-blockers, angiotensins converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics, in addition to the advances in diagnosis and management of acute heart failure, allowed changing the history of the disease by lowering mortality and recovering systolic function of the left ventricle. Gestations posterior to the development of this entity will depend on the complete recovery of heart function without lowering the risk of recurrence. There still remain many questions to answer in areas like etiology, risk factors, treatment and prognosis markers that may allow to prevent and to manage in an appropriate and safe way both the mother and her son.

Keywords : acute heart failure; pregnancy; dilated cardiomyopathy; post-delivery cardiomyopathy.

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