Recovery from severe heart failure following peripartum cardiomyopathy

Objectives: Traditional concepts Surrounding peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) hold that if recovery does not occur within 6 months of diagnosis, it is unlikely to happen. The purpose of the study was to determine the length of time required for recovery of left ventricular systolic function. Methods: Patients were identified from the Hopital Albert Schweitzer PPCM Registry over the period 2000-2008. Echocardiography was carried out at diagnosis and every 6 months thereafter. Recovery of systolic heart function was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 0.50. Results: Thirty-two out of 116 (27.6%) PPCM patients reached recovery levels, with 75% of patients taking over 12 months to recover. Shortest time to recovery was 3 months and longest time to recovery was 48 months. Conclusion: Recovery of left ventricular systolic function in PPCM patients often requires longer than 6-12 months following diagnosis. It is important to continue effective treatment and follow-up for a sufficient period to assure maximum benefit. (C) 2008 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.