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Clinical characteristics and risk factors for peripartum cardiomyopathy
Huang, GY; Zhang, LY; Long-Le, MA & Le-Xin, Wang
Abstract
Background:
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a potentially fatal form of heart failure and the recognition of its risk factors is important for prevention and treatment.
Objective:
To explore the clinical characteristics and the risk factors for PPCM.
Methods:
Echocardiographic was used to examine the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Blood level of troponin I (cTNI), high sensitive C-reaction protein (hs-CRP), NT-proBNP was measured. All PPCM occurred within weeks following delivery.
Results:
Fifty-two PPCM patients and 52 normal delivery subjects (control group) were included in this study. Compared with the control group, PPCM patients were older, with a higher level of blood pressure, and a higher rate of suspected respiratory infection. The level of leucocytes, hs-CRP, cTNI and NT-proBNP in PPCM patients were higher than in the control. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated plasma hs-CRP (OR =1.86, p<0.05), respiratory infection (OR = 2.87, p<0.01), and hypertension (OR =1.68, p < 0.05) were independent risk factors for PPCM. During the follow up of 21.6±5.4 d, one patient (1.9%) died probably of heart failure but other patients remained well.
Conclusion:
Hypertension, respiratory infection, and elevated plasma hs-CRP seem to be associated with the pathogenesis of peripartum cardiomyopathy in this patient population.
Keywords
peripartum cardiomyopathy, inflammation, hypertension, C-reaction protein,mortality.
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