Prevention and control of peripartum cardiomyopathy in Haiti

Abstract

Intensive study of peripartum cardiomyopathy in the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer district of Haiti has led to two possible prevention and control measures:

• (1)

  Promotion of family planning measures to assist women who wish to avoid the higher risk of disease and/or relapse seen with grand multiparity (defined as 5 or more pregnancies).

• (2)

  focused non-invasive cardiac ultrasound screening of higher risk women in the peripartum period to identify and treat asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction.