title: Electrocardiographic predictors of peripartum cardiomyopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify potential electrocardiographic predictors of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a case-control study carried out in three hospitals in Kano, Nigeria. Logistic regression models and a risk score were developed to determine electrocardiographic predictors of PPCM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 54 PPCM and 77 controls were consecutively recruited after satisfying the inclusion criteria. After controlling for confounding variables, a rise in heart rate of one beat/minute increased the risk of PPCM by 6.4% (p = 0.001), while the presence of ST-T-wave changes increased the odds of PPCM 12.06-fold (p < 0.001). In the patients, QRS duration modestly correlated (r = 0.4; p < 0.003) with left ventricular dimensions and end-systolic volume index, and was responsible for 19.9% of the variability of the latter (R(2) = 0.199; p = 0.003). A risk score of ≥ 2, developed by scoring 1 for each of the three ECG disturbances (tachycardia, ST-T-wave abnormalities and QRS duration), had a sensitivity of 85.2%, specificity of 64.9%, negative predictive value of 86.2% and area under the curve of 83.8% (p < 0.0001) for potentially predicting PPCM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In postpartum women, using the risk score could help to streamline the diagnosis of PPCM with significant accuracy, prior to confirmatory investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Bayero University and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria; Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Sweden. Email: kkaraye@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Kamilu M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Karaye
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Sweden; Department of Cardiology, Umea Heart Centre, Umea, Sweden.
authors.forename: Krister
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindmark
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Sweden; Department of Cardiology, Umea Heart Centre, Umea, Sweden.
authors.forename: Michael Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Henein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D058725:Peripartum Period / Q000502:physiology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012306:Risk