UNDERSTANDING DIAGNOSIS
What is PPCM?
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an uncommon form of heart failure that happens during the last month of pregnancy or up to five months after giving birth. Cardiomyopathy literally means heart muscle disease. PPCM is a condition when the heart chambers enlarge and the muscle weakens. This causes a decrease in the percentage of blood ejected from the left ventricle of the heart with each contraction. Consequently, the heart can’t meet the demands of the body’s organs for oxygen.
How is the diagnosis made?
Doctors may order tests looking for signs of fluid build-up in the lungs or enlargement of the heart. These tests can suggest a diagnosis of PPCM. These tests include blood tests, such as B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), electrocardiogram (ECG), and chest x-ray.
PPCM is diagnosed with an echocardiogram, a test that looks at how strongly the heart muscle is pumping blood.
The most common type of echocardiogram is transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), in which a technologist presses and moves a smooth device back and forth across your chest to make pictures of your heart. You will lie on your left side, and the technologist will put gel on your chest, which may feel cold. A technologist will place sticky patches (called electrodes) on your chest to keep track of your heart’s rate, rhythm, and electrical activity in a recording called an electrocardiogram (ECG). You will need to lie still and may need to hold your breath for very short periods during the test. The test usually takes about 30-60 minutes.
What are the symptoms?
This condition often results in feeling short of breath or tired when you are trying to move or exercise.
What causes PPCM?
Research suggests that both family traits from your parents (known as your genes) and inflammation of the heart muscle can cause weakening of your heart. These factors may also be why you have PPCM. The overall cause of PPCM remains unknown.
Treatment options for PPCM?
Doctors will evaluate your symptoms of shortness of breath and tiredness to classify the severity of your heart failure and treat it. Medications are used to improve symptoms and help the heart muscle recover. Other treatments could include assistive devices that are placed in the heart that help to support the heart muscle contractions. On some occasions a heart transplant may be required if the heart muscle is so weak and is not recovering well.