Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in Cardiac MRI: A Case Report

Introduction

Peripartum (postpartum) cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an uncommon primary cardiomyopathy of unknown cause with a reported incidence from 1/15 000 to 1/1300 pregnancies. It occurs most frequently in obese, multiparous women older than 30 years with preeclampsia. PPCM manifests between the last trimester and about 5 month after birth. In about 50 % of cases PPCM is associated with complete recovery within 6 months but PPCM may also result in progressive heart failure, death, or transplantation. PPCM is regarded as a separate clinical entity, which has to be differentiated from other preexisting cardiomyopathies that may be aggravated by pregnancy (Abboud J et al. Int J Cardiol 2007; 118: 295 – 303).