Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
We describe our experience with peripartum cardiomyopathy.


METHODS
A case series in intensive care units (ICU) of a district hospital and a referral center.


METHODS
Six patients who required admission to an ICU after the onset of peripartum cardiomyopathy.


RESULTS
Five of the six patients survived, with total recovery of ventricular function. After 1 year of follow-up all five survivors were symptom free with a normal ventricular function.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a low rate of ICU admissions for peripartum cardiomyopathy, which has a potentially fatal prognosis. However, this disease can be detected by echocardiography among patients without the semiology.
Ruiz-Bailén
M
M
Critical Care and Emergencies Department, Hospital de Poniente, El Ejido, Almería, Spain. MRB1604@teleline.es Spain.MRB1604@teleline.es
López-Martínez
A
A
Ramos-Cuadra
J A
JA
Díaz-Castellanos
M A
MA
Cárdenas-Cruz
A
A
Rodríguez-Elvira
M
M
Montiel-Trujillo
A
A
D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy