Clinical Spectrum and Short-Term Cardiac Outcomes of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy among Bangladeshi Women
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
4
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Fetomaternal unit), Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
5
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
6
MBBS Final Year Student, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
7
Register, Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman
8
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Received: 2025-09-02
Revised: 2025-09-15
Accepted: 2025-09-29
Published: 2025-10-14
Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a life-threatening cause of heart failure in previously healthy women during late pregnancy or the postpartum period; however, data from Bangladesh remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical spectrum and short-term cardiac outcomes of PPCM in Bangladeshi women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, from June 2024 to July 2025, involving 40 women with PPCM diagnosed using echocardiography (LVEF ≤45%). Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic data were collected at baseline and at the six-month follow-up. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean age was 28.4 ± 6.1 years, with 50% aged 26–35 years and 80% being multigravida. Most patients (70%) developed postpartum symptoms, and 65% presented with severe LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF <30%). Pulmonary hypertension and intracardiac thrombi were present in 65% and 7.5% of patients, respectively. At six months, 20% achieved full recovery (LVEF ≥50%), 35% achieved partial recovery, 37.5% had persistent dysfunction, and mortality was 7.5%. All the patients received standard heart failure therapy. Conclusion: Peripartum cardiomyopathy in Bangladeshi women predominantly affects multiparous postpartum women with severe LV dysfunction. Although recovery within six months was observed in over half of the patients, early diagnosis and comprehensive management remain essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy, heart failure, postpartum left ventricular dysfunction.