Risk stratification of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy at initial presentation: A dobutamine stress echocardiography study

We sought to determine the prognostic use of inotropic contractile reserve on risk stratification and prognostication of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare disorder effecting women in their prime years of life. There appears to be an initial high-risk period with 25% to 50% of women dying within the first 3 months postpartum. Early risk stratification and prognostication are, thus, crucial. However, only limited data are available. In all, 7 women (mean age 31.8 years) with peripartum cardiomyopathy and severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (mean LV ejection fraction [LVEF] 25.3 ± 9.5%) were studied. Of these, 6 underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography at baseline and a follow-up resting echocardiogram at a mean of 4.7 ± 0.9 months after initial presentation. Resting and peak inotropic contractile reserve, and follow-up LVEF, were computed. The mean LVEF improved significantly from baseline (25.3 ± 9.5%) to maximal inotropic contractile reserve (53.8 ± 12.6%) (P =. 0004) and at follow-up (53.0 ± 16.4%) (P =. 006). Importantly, LVEF at maximal inotropic contractile reserve and at follow-up (5.6 months) did not differ significantly (P =. 5). The mean LVEF at maximal inotropic contractile reserve correlated well with the follow-up (LVEF R = 0.79). However, the baseline LVEF did not correlate with follow-up LVEF (P = not significant). In patients presenting with peripartum cardiomyopathy, inotropic contractile reserve during dobutamine stress echocardiography accurately correlates with subsequent recovery of LV function and confers a benign prognosis.