Most common risk factors associated with peripartum cardiomyopathy amongst Kurdish population

Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is idiopathic cardiomyopathy that presents during the last trimester or the first several months after delivery and it is a serious complication of pregnancy. Objectives: The aim was to assess the most common risk factors seen among pregnant women leading to PPCM and factors that are associated with better outcomes after therapy. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients who presented to the outpatient cardiology clinic and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of the European Society of Cardiology were recruited to participate in the study. A detailed history was obtained and left ventricular measurements were evaluated using M-mode, 2-dimentional, and Simpson methods to estimate the ejection fraction. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 34.7 ± 5.2 years. Multiparous women constituted 60% of the study sample. Gestational age at presentation ranged between 28 and 38 weeks, with a mean of 32.9 ± 2.6. Being overweight was a common feature as 60% of patients had above-normal body mass index. Family history was reported in 50% of patients, followed by passive smoking (35%), hypertension (25%), thyroid disorders (30%), and type II diabetes mellitus (20%). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction at the time of diagnosis was 32.3% ± 6.7% with an increase to 44.2% ± 8.9% at follow-up. Younger patients were more likely to regain normal left ventricular function following diagnosis (P = 0.005). Conclusion: These preliminary results strongly demonstrate that advanced maternal age, anemia, multiparity, and family history were the most common risk factors seen among our population.