Understanding Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is the unexplained loss of maternal cardiac systolic function in the period surrounding parturition. PPCM affects women worldwide and is a leading cause of maternal mortality. The cause of PPCM has remained elusive until recently. We review here the epidemiology of PPCM, recent findings that strongly indicate hormonal and genetic contributions to the development of PPCM, and implications for the management of women with PPCM.