What needs to be known about longer-term management and prognosis?

Abstract Long-term management of PPCM patients plays a crucial role after stabilization during the acute and early phase. Optimal heart failure therapy with drugs and devices is recommended according to current guidelines for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) respecting compatibility with lactation/breastfeeding. Compared to other cardiomyopathies, PPCM patients have a better prognosis in terms of survival and recovery of left ventricular (LV) function. Therefore, implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy are only indicated in patients with persisting LV dysfunction (LVEF   60 mm, right ventricular involvement, QTc time prolongation, and high natriuretic peptide levels. Mortality rates widely range from 0% to 30% depending on the ethnic background and geographic region.