Cardiac function, exercise capacity and biomarkers after peripartum cardiomyopathy and preeclampsia: A Danish long-term follow-up study

Abstract

Introduction: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease defined by idiopathic heart failure towards the end of pregnancy or up to six months after delivery. 6–12 months recovery rates are 47–72% in recent cohorts, but data on longer term prognosis are few. PPCM is often preceded by preeclampsia and the two conditions share pathophysiological mechanisms including disturbed levels of the antiangiogenic factor soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF).