Saleem Sharieff, Khan Shah e Zaman.
Identification of Risk factors and demographic features of patients with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;12(7):410-4.

Objective: To describe and identify the demographic features and risk factors for peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Design: A prospective study. Place and Duration of Study : The study was conducted at the Department of Adult Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan, from December 1999 to August 2001. Subjects and Methods: A total of 35 consecutive patients diagnosed to have peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) on echocardiogram were enrolled. Proforma containing demographic characteristics and established risk factors for PPCM was established and filled carefully. The data gathered was analyzed statistically. Results: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 30.8 ± 6.74 years. Urdu speaking (Mohajir) population was found to be more affected ethnic group (42.9%). Majority of the patients was from lower socio-economic group with poor nutritional status (77%) and multiparous (77.14%). 25.7% had past history of PPCM and 71.4% presented during postpartum period. Mortality at six months was 22.8% while 42.9% had persistent disease and only 34.3% recovered completely. Conclusion: Advanced age, lower economic group with poor nutritional status, multiparity and past history of peripartum cardiomyopathy were identified as risk factors for the development of PPCM, especially among Mohajir population. There was no statistically significant difference between the clinical features and outcome of patients presented first time or with recurrent PPCM. We identified advanced age (> 30 years), high LVEDD, and low ejection fraction (EF) at initial presentation as poor prognostic factors.

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