Current Problems in Cardiology最新文献

{"title":"Time to adopt a new standard method for assessing cardiac function in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Bruno Gama Linhares ,&nbsp;Diego Gama Linhares ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Gomes de Souza Vale ,&nbsp;Daniel Moreira Gonçalves","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103289","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103289","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is a major cause of morbidity in breast cancer survivors. Although left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the gold standard for monitoring cardiac function, it is often considered a late and insensitive marker of myocardial damage. New methods have emerged: global longitudinal strain (GLS) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) derived parameters as potentially superior tools for detecting subclinical dysfunction. This study aimed to systematically compare the diagnostic accuracy and temporal sensitivity of GLS, LVEF, and CMR índices in the early detection of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies was conducted to evaluate the outcomes and technical accuracy of the main methods for assessing cardiac function in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Twenty-nine studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The meta-analysis revealed a distinct temporal dissociation between methods. GLS detected a significant absolute reduction of 1.81% (95% CI: 1.14 – 2.49; <em>z</em> = 5.25, <em>p</em> &lt; .001) as early as 1–3 months after treatment initiation. In contrast, LVEF showed a significant reduction of 3.59% only at mid-term follow-up (4–6 months), typically remaining within the range of clinical normality (&gt;50%). The HSROC analysis for GLS (10 studies) demonstrated robust diagnostic performance, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.818, a pooled sensitivity of 74.6% (95% CI: 64.8%–82.4%), and a specificity of 76.3% (95% CI: 68.2%–82.9%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Comparative analysis of data from our meta-analyses supports the recommendation of Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) as the preferred method for screening for cardiotoxicity, over isolated assessment by Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"51 5","pages":"Article 103289"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146094744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Takotsubo syndrome-2024: Changing trends in diagnosis and management of patients reported in the world literature","authors":"John E. Madias MD, FACC, FAHA","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Increasing recognition of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is being realized since its formal description in 1990/1991 with information provided in case reports, patient series, and multinational registries. The present study aimed at gathering all the patient reports published in the world literature in 2024 to evaluate possible changes in the diagnosis and management of TTS, as compared with TTS registries.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>All the patients with TTS and granular data published in PubMed in response to the MeSH term “takotsubo” in 2024 were scrutinized with data tabulated pertaining to 85+ variables, and compared with the corresponding data deriving from the latest published reports of the InterTak, RETAKO, and GEIST TTS registries.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The present study comprised 246 patients aged 58.2 ± 20.3, with 41 (16.7%) being male, reported from 51 countries, and were characterized by comparison with the 8,288 patients from the 3 registries, by lower rates of risk factors for CAD and cancer, very high comorbidity burden (86.2%), “physical stress”-triggered TTS (69.5% vs. 47.5%, 28.%, 35.5%, for the 3 registries, correspondingly, <em>P</em> = 0.00001), and higher rates of cardiogenic shock (20.7% vs 8.5%, 10.5%, and 8.1%, <em>P</em> = 0.00001), in-hospital mortality (6.9% vs 5.5%, 2.3%, <em>P</em> = 0.00001), and recurrence of TTS (7.3% vs 3.2%, <em>P</em> = 0.02).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The patients with TTS published in the world literature in 2024 comprise a younger group revealing lower risks for CAD and cancer, and higher rates of comorbidity, “physical stress”-triggered TTS, in-hospital complications, mortality, and TTS recurrence, as compared to patients published heretofore.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"51 5","pages":"Article 103269"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Urinary sodium-guided diuretic therapy in acute decompensated heart failure: A grade assessed systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis","authors":"Ali Saad Al-Shammari ,&nbsp;Khadeeja Ali Hamzah ,&nbsp;Mahyar Masanabadi ,&nbsp;Maryam Asif ,&nbsp;Mehak Budhiraja ,&nbsp;Nimra Shafi ,&nbsp;Belal Mohamed Hamed ,&nbsp;Yousif Hameed Kurmasha ,&nbsp;Mohammedsadeq A. Shweliya ,&nbsp;Yasar Sattar","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Diuretic resistance remains a major challenge in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Urinary sodium (UNa) concentration provides an early marker of loop diuretic responsiveness, yet its clinical utility remains uncertain.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO ID: CRD420251175306). PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CENTRAL were searched from database inception to October 1, 2025, for studies evaluating UNa-guided diuretic titration in hospitalized ADHF patients. Primary outcomes were 24- and 48 h diuresis and natriuresis; secondary outcomes included congestion relief, renal function, length of stay, rehospitalization, and mortality. Data were pooled using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² and χ² statistics. Analyses were performed with the R software (version 4.4.3, meta package). Certainty of evidence was rated using the GRADE framework.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Five studies were included (three RCTs, two observational cohorts). UNa-guided therapy significantly increased 24- and 48 h diuresis (MD = 0.59,95%CI [0.30-0.87] L; MD = 0.70 [0.37-1.03] L) and natriuresis (MD = 88 [52-124] mmol; MD = 138 [69-206] mmol; all <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). No significant differences were observed in mortality (RR = 0.99 [0.60-1.63]), rehospitalization (RR = 0.90 [0.57-1.41]), renal dysfunction, or length of stay. Safety outcomes, including hypotension, hypokalemia, and renal worsening, were similar (all <em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). Certainty of evidence was moderate for natriuresis/diuresis and low for clinical outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>UNa-guided diuretic therapy enhances short-term natriuresis and diuresis without increasing adverse events but shows no proven impact on mortality, rehospitalization, or renal outcomes. Larger studies are needed to confirm its long-term benefit and feasibility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"51 5","pages":"Article 103272"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146031590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of pre-hospital shock team implementation with outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients","authors":"Abdulrahman Arabi,&nbsp;Mhd Baraa Habib,&nbsp;Mohamed Salah Abdelghani,&nbsp;Osamah AlAmeen,&nbsp;Mohammad Al-Hijji,&nbsp;Awad Alqahtani,&nbsp;Salah Eddin Arafa,&nbsp;Ihsan Rafie,&nbsp;Jassim M.S. Al Suwaidi","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with high mortality rates. While in-hospital shock teams have shown benefits, the impact of pre-hospital shock team activation remains underexplored.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In July 2022, our high-volume primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) center serving the entire state population implemented a pre-hospital shock team. This multidisciplinary team comprises an emergency department physician, cardiac intensivist, interventional cardiologist, cardiac anesthesiologist, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) specialists. Activation criteria include hypotension, tachycardia or bradycardia, acute heart failure, significant ST-elevation, ventricular arrhythmias, or elevated lactic acid levels. We compared mortality rates 18 months before and after implementation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Before implementation, 1,605 STEMI patients were admitted, compared to 1,735 after implementation. Of these, 217 (12%) met shock team activation criteria. Early Hospital mortality (in ED and in Cath lab) and Overall-hospital mortality rates significantly declined following implementation (1.2% vs. 0.3%, <em>p</em> = 0.03; and 2.1% vs. 3.3%, <em>p</em> = 0.02, respectively).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study suggests that pre-hospital shock team implementation is associated with a significant reduction in STEMI mortality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"51 5","pages":"Article 103274"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146031624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardio-oncology and functional outcomes: Top contributors, and content analysis of the global research literature (1974-2025).","authors":"Osama Albasheer, Mohamed Salih Mahfouz, Suhaila Ali, Anas E Ahmed, Mohammed Muqri, Nasir A Ali, Tahani Madkhali, Mayada Nogdalla, Wafa Ibrahim, Malaz Mohammed Nogdalla","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103356","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103356","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This bibliometric analysis examined global research on cardio-oncology, cardiotoxicity, cancer survivorship, and functional outcomes using Scopus-indexed publications (1974-2025). The results demonstrate exponential growth in output, particularly after 2000, reaching a peak in 2024. Among authors, Cardinale, D. led with 16 publications, followed by Lipshultz, S.E. (14) and Guha, A. (12). The most productive institutions included The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (60), and Harvard Medical School (48). At the country level, the United States dominated output (919 publications), followed by Italy (313) and the United Kingdom (241). Analysis of the top 100 most cited publications (1987-2024) showed a a mean citation rate of 115.3 per document. Co-word dynamics revealed an evolution from chemotherapy-centered toxicity (e.g., doxorubicin) toward integrated frameworks involving cardiovascular outcomes, mechanistic pathways such as oxidative stress, and survivorship concerns. The formal emergence of \"cardio-oncology\" after 2018 marked consolidation of the field. Content analysis of the top 50 publications highlighted anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, biomarker and imaging-based early detection, and multidisciplinary care models. Key mechanisms included oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ferroptosis, while disparities in socioeconomic and demographic factors were increasingly recognized. Overall, the evidence indicates a shift toward integrated, patient-centered strategies balancing cancer control with preservation of cardiovascular and functional health.</p>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"103356"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Weekend Admission on Outcomes in Sinus Node Dysfunction and AV Block Undergoing Permanent Pacemaker: A Nationwide Analysis.","authors":"Julian Chestaro, Parth Adrejiya, Shahikanth Nagabandi, Rami Khouzam","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103357","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103357","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The \"weekend effect\" is associated with adverse outcomes in several cardiovascular conditions. Limited data exist regarding its impact on patients with bradyarrhythmias requiring inpatient permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospective study using the 2022 National Inpatient Sample to identify adults hospitalized with sinus node dysfunction (SND) or atrioventricular (AV) block who underwent PPM implantation. Patients were stratified by admission day (weekend vs weekday). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included temporary pacemaker (TPM) placement, time from admission to PPM implantation, and length of stay (LOS). Survey-weighted multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between weekend admission and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 29,630 patients with SND and 44,150 patients with AV block undergoing PPM implantation were included. Among patients with SND, weekend admission was not associated with higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.10; 95% CI 0.42-2.85) or TPM placement (aOR 1.13; 95% CI 0.86-1.48) but was associated with delayed PPM implantation (2.37 vs 2.02 days; p<0.001) and longer LOS (4.55 vs 4.27 days; p=0.006). Among patients with AV block, weekend admission was not associated with increased mortality (aOR 1.05; 95% CI 0.59-1.84) but was associated with higher TPM placement (aOR 1.53; 95% CI 1.34-1.75; p<0.001), delayed PPM implantation (1.89 vs 1.48 days; p<0.001), and longer LOS (4.30 vs 3.73 days; p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Weekend admission among patients with SND or AV block requiring PPM implantation was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality but was linked to delayed device implantation and longer hospitalization.</p>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"103357"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardiac dysfunction in HIV: Etiology, pathophysiology, and future directions.","authors":"Youssef A Elnabawi, Farzad Marashi, Norman N Aiad, Debashish Dey, Raja Zaghlol, Amit K Dey","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103355","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103355","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The advent of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has turned human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from an acute, high mortality illness to a chronic, treatable disease. While people living with HIV are expected to have a normal life expectancy, this puts HIV infected individuals at risk of developing HIV- associated chronic diseases which includes cardiovascular disease. HIV-associated heart disease may lead to HIV associated cardiomyopathy (HIV CM), which mostly includes heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). There has also been growing evidence of diastolic dysfunction leading to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as part of HIV CM. While the underlying etiology for HIV CM has yet to be elicited, the proposed mechanisms include chronic low-grade inflammation, opportunistic infections, direct viral invasion of the myocardium and pericardium, and toxicity from HAART regimens. This review will serve to discuss potential immune and inflammatory mechanisms of HIV CM, the effects of certain HAART on cardiac function, as well as future directions in the work up and evaluation of HIV CM in people living with HIV.</p>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"103355"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fabry disease cardiomyopathy: A practical guide for cardiologists","authors":"Tala Al Saleh MD ,&nbsp;Yusuf Kamran Qadeer MD ,&nbsp;Bing Yue MD ,&nbsp;Maurizio Pieroni MD, PhD ,&nbsp;Karim El Hachem MD ,&nbsp;Fabiano de Oliveira Poswar MD, MSc, PhD ,&nbsp;Roberto Giugliani MD ,&nbsp;Irfan Vardarli MD ,&nbsp;Eric Wallace MD ,&nbsp;Chayakrit Krittanawong MD, FACC","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103266","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease that results in the accumulation of glycosphingolipids, such as globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in a variety of cells. FD most prominently involves cardiac, nervous, and renal tissue, with cardiac complications representing the most common cause of death. Fabry disease has a prevalence ranging between 1:8454 to 1:117,000 among men. The higher prevalence included patients with the A143T mutation, which was shown to be a non-disease causing variant. Due to its rarity, and wide array of phenotypic presentations, especially in women, FD is often misdiagnosed. Advances in echocardiographic techniques and magnetic resonance imaging can play a crucial role in raising suspicion for Fabry disease and identifying early Fabry cardiomyopathy. Identification of end-organ involvement can, in turn, permit treatment initiation in patients who did not previously qualify for advanced therapies and in screened family members who are still too early in the disease process to manifest specific symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"51 4","pages":"Article 103266"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145991679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ocular manifestations of transthyretin amyloidosis and their diagnostic value in cardiology: A comprehensive review","authors":"Yongda Zhu,&nbsp;Shun Gao Prof,&nbsp;Qingquan Liu,&nbsp;Chunjian Shen Dr.","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is an increasingly recognized cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF); however, early diagnosis remains challenging.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>From the perspective of cardiovascular physicians, this review systematically elucidates the ocular manifestations of ATTR, explores their clinical significance as early diagnostic clues, and proposes an integrated diagnostic pathway incorporating ophthalmologic assessment.</div></div><div><h3>Content</h3><div>This article focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms and recognition criteria of characteristic ocular signs, including vitreous amyloidosis and secondary glaucoma, and constructs a multidisciplinary diagnostic workflow integrating cardiac imaging, ophthalmologic \"red flags,\" and molecular diagnostic techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Incorporating ocular manifestations into routine cardiovascular history-taking and systematic evaluation holds significant clinical value for improving early ATTR-CM diagnosis rates and patient outcomes. Active promotion of cardiovascular-ophthalmology-neurology multidisciplinary collaboration is warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"51 4","pages":"Article 103263"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146020622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Incidence, characteristics and long-term outcomes of peripartum cardiomyopathy: Insights from the Bergen peripartum cardiomyopathy study","authors":"Vasiliki Kitsou MD, PhD ,&nbsp;Håvard Dingen MD ,&nbsp;Torbjørn Lunde MD ,&nbsp;Britt Engan MD, PhD ,&nbsp;Ferenc Macsali MD, PhD ,&nbsp;Sahrai Saeed MD, PhD, FESC","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103276","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2026.103276","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially fatal condition characterized by heart failure occurring at the end of pregnancy or within the first months after delivery in women without prior history of structural heart disease. This single-center case-control study aimed to describe the incidence, clinical profile, echocardiographic findings and outcomes of PPCM in a West-Norwegian population.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Between 2011 and 2023, a total of 15 cases of PPCM were identified at Haukeland University Hospital. The Bergen Birth Registry was used to determine the total number of births in the same period, and to recruit 30 age-matched healthy controls. Clinical characteristics, echocardiographic data, and outcomes were collected.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The incidence rate of PPCM was 1 in 4,182 births. Risk factors included higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.25) and elevated systolic blood pressure at presentation (OR 1.11). The prevalence of pre-eclampsia and primiparity was significantly higher in PPCM patients compared to controls (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). Mean left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction increased from 35% at presentation to 58% at the 6-month follow-up (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). There were no maternal or neonatal mortalities. Three patients required ICU treatment, but none experienced major cardiovascular events.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The incidence of PPCM in this West-Norwegian study was relatively low. Higher pre-pregnancy BMI and elevated systolic blood pressure, both important modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, were identified as predictors of PPCM. All patients experienced successful clinical and LV function recovery. Future large collaborative studies are necessary to provide a reliable description of incidence and outcomes nationwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"51 4","pages":"Article 103276"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146042025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}