To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).

A total of 35 patients admitted in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and diagnosed with PPCM between January 1995 and December 2014 was included and analyzed in this study. The subjects were divided into two groups: the early recovery and delayed recovery. Early recovery was defined as normalization of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% before 6 months post-diagnosis. Delayed recovery was defined if the length of time required for recovery of LVEF was longer than 6 months or death was reported during follow-up. Risk factors for delayed recovery were assessed.

The incidence of PPCM was 1 per 1 067 deliveries between the study periods. The age of the 35 patients was (28.9±5.6) years old. Among them, 20 (57.1%) patients were not in the first pregnancy, 13 (37.1%) had delivered before, and 5 (14.3%) patients had twin pregnancies. The LVEF at diagnosis was (34.1±8.0) %. 62.9% (22 cases) of the subjects were in the early recovery, while 37.1% (13 cases) of the subjects were in the delayed recovery group, 2 of whom suffered death. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that LVEF(OR=1.339, 95%CI 1.063-1.688, P=0.013)and left ventricle end-dilated diameter(OR 0.763, 95%CI 0.607-0.960, P=0.021)were independent risk factors for delayed recovery.

PPCM is a rare but life-threatening complication of pregnancy. LVEF and left ventricle end-dilated diameter at diagnosis were two independent factors associated with the prognosis of PPCM.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy; Early recovery; Delayed recovery; Left ventricle ejection fraction; Left ventricle end-dilated diameter