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Peripartum cardiomyopathy among cardiovascular patients referred for echocardiography at Parirenyatwa Teaching Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The main aim was to evaluate the outcome of patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) within six months of diagnosis. The secondary aim was to describe demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with PPCM in Harare, Zimbabwe. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study in which patients recruited into a detailed PPCM registry were followed up for six months. Echocardiograms were performed at enrolment, and three and six months after diagnosis, to determine left ventricular function. RESULTS: From 1 August 2012 to 31 July 2013, 43 patients with a new diagnosis of PPCM were recruited at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare. At six months, mean ejection fraction improved from 29.7 ± 9.8 to 44.9 ± 14.9%, p < 0.001 and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class improved significantly (p < 0.0001). Five (11.6%) patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular function improved in a substantial number of patients (42.9%) in this Zimbabwean cohort compared to other African cohorts. However the mortality rate remained high.

Source: Cardiovascular journal of South Africa/Cardiovascular journal of Southern Africa

DOI: 10.5830/cvja-2016-043

Authors: ET Gambahaya, J Hakim, D Kao, N Munyandu, J Matenga

Institutions: University of Zimbabwe, University of Colorado Denver

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular Issues in Pregnancy

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Fogarty International Center