Peripartum cardiomyopathy in Indian population: A pooled analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) refers to heart failure of unknown etiology in later gestation or early postpartum period. Data regarding its incidence, clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes in the Indian population are scarce. Materials and Methods: We performed a pooled analysis of seven Indian studies on PPCM, including 221 patients to study PPCM. Results: The incidence of PPCM in the Indian population was 1 in 1340 live births. Indian women developed PPCM at a mean age of 27 years and most commonly in the postpartum period (60% cases). Hypertensive disorders and anemia were associated with PPCM in nearly half the number of patients. Maternal mortality was 11.7% and fetal mortality 14.2%. Conclusion: Our study provides data on PPCM in the Indian population. Larger studies with higher number of patients are needed to study PPCM in detail in the Indian subset.