Peripartum cardiomyopathy.

The article discusses peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a disease of the heart muscle affecting women who had no known history of heart disease during pregnancy or in the first months after delivery. Symptoms include dyspnoea, fluid retention, tachycardia, cardiogenic and thromboembolism. Observations of incidence rates vary according to region. New therapeutic strategies as immune modulation or prolactin inhibition were suggested. Risk factors for PPCM, etiology, prognosis, and heart failure medication in pregnancy are discussed.