Post-COVID-19 Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Experience from a Large Tertiary Referral Center

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of pregnancy. Although the pathophysiology of PPCM is not fully understood, there are known risk factors for developing PPCM, which are maternal and gestation related. In the first wave of the coronavirus disease 201...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Israel Medical Association journal 2023-08, Vol.25 (8), p.533-537
Main Authors: Yaniv-Salem, Shimrit, Dym, Lianne, Nesher, Lior, Zahger, Doron, Shalev, Aryeh, Shmueli, Hezzy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cardiomyopathies - diagnosis
Cardiomyopathies - epidemiology
Cardiomyopathies - etiology
COVID-19 - complications
Female
Heart Failure
Humans
Peripartum Period
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - diagnosis
Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - epidemiology
Puerperal Disorders - therapy
Tertiary Care Centers
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Summary:Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of pregnancy. Although the pathophysiology of PPCM is not fully understood, there are known risk factors for developing PPCM, which are maternal and gestation related. In the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we witnessed an elevated incidence of PPCM among COVID-19 survivors. To present a single-center case series of three patients diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy after recovered from COVID-19 during the index pregnancy. In this single center case study, all patients diagnosed with PPCM at our institute during the examined time frame were included. Electronic medical records were studied. Three patients previously diagnosed with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 disease during pregnancy presented with PPCM before or shortly after delivery. Patients underwent testing to rule out residual COVID-19 myocarditis, were treated pharmacologically and with wearable defibrillators as needed, and were examined in follow-up 1-9 months after delivery. Residual endothelial damage due to COVID-19 disease, even if originally mild in presentation, could predispose pregnant patients to PPCM and should be considered as a risk factor when assessing patients with new onset symptoms of heart failure. Further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis and fully determine the underlying pathophysiology. These preliminary findings warrant a high index of suspicion for PPCM in COVID-19 recoverers.
ISSN:1565-1088