Right ventricular systolic dysfunction and remodelling in Nigerians with peripartum cardiomyopathy: a longitudinal study

Background: The literature on right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) patients is scanty, and it appears that RV reverse remodelling in PPCM has not been previously described. This study thus aimed to assess RVSD and remodelling in a cohort of PPCM patients in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: A longitudinal study carried out in 3 referral hospitals in Kano, Nigeria. Consecutive PPCM patients who had satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited and followed up for 12 months. RVSD was defined as the presence of either tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) <16 mm or peak systolic wave (S') tissue Doppler velocity of RV free wall <10 cm/s. For the purpose of this study, recovery of RV systolic function was defined as an improvement of reduced TAPSE to >= 16 mm or S' to >= 10 cm/s, without falling to reduced levels again, during follow-up. Results: A total of 45 patients were recruited over 6 months with a mean age of 26.6 +/- 7.0 years. RV systolic function recovery occurred in a total of 8 patients (8/45; 17.8 %), of whom 6 (75.0 %) recovered in 6 months after diagnosis. The prevalence of RVSD fell from 71.1 % at baseline to 36.4 % at 6 months (p = 0.007) and 18.8 % at 1 year (p = 0.0008 vs baseline; p = 0.41 vs 6 month). Patients with RVSD had higher serum creatinine, and TAPSE accounted for 19.2 % (p = 0.008) of the variability of serum creatinine at 6 months. Although 83.3 % of the deceased had RVSD, it didn't predict mortality in the regression models (p > 0.05). Conclusion: RVSD and reverse remodelling were common in Nigerians with PPCM, in whom the first 6 months after diagnosis seem to be critical for RV recovery and survival.