Peripartum cardiomyopathy: A puzzle closer to solution

Table 2 Echocardiographic parameters at diagnosis as predictors of recovery (Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%) for peripartum cardiomyopathy n (%)

Study	Recovered	Non-recovered	P
Goland et al[10,11] (25% African-American)	115 (61.5)	72 (38.5)
Diagnosis mean LVEF	0.31	0.23	< 0.0001a
Diagnosis mean LVEDd (cm)	5.5	6.1	0.002a
Amos et al[12] (51% African-American)	22 (44.9)	27 (55.1)
Diagnosis mean LVEF	0.23	0.20	0.16
Mean LVEF (%) at 2 mo	43	24	< 0.001a
Diagnosis mean LVEDd (cm)	5.6	6.2	0.01a
Modi et al[13] (88.6% African-American)	14 (35)	26 (65)
Diagnosis mean LVEF	0.29	0.21	0.02a
Diagnosis mean LVEDd (cm)	5.9	6.2	0.16
Fett et al[14] (all African heritage)	32 (27.6)	84 (72.4)
Diagnosis mean LVEF	0.28	0.23	0.002a
Diagnosis mean LVEDd (cm)	5.6	5.9	0.03a
Safirstein et al[15] (3.6% African-American)	43 (78.2)	12 (21.8)
Diagnosis mean LVEF	0.29	0.24	0.13
Diagnosis mean LVEDd (cm)	5.4	5.9	0.21
Diagnostic LVEF > 0.35	25/25	0	< 0.001a
1Haghikia et al[16]	45 (47)	51 (53)
Diagnosis mean LVEF	0.28	0.17	< 0.0001a
McNamara et al[17] (30% African-American)	59 (65)	32 (35)
Diagnostic LVEF < 0.30	10/30 (33)	20/30 (67)	0.001a
Diagnostic LVEF ≥ 0.30	58/70 (82.9)2	21/70 (17.1)2	0.001a

¹For this group, recovery defined as LVEF 0.55, mean LVEF shown for improved vs non-improved;

²Pending last echo late data entry from 12 mo postpartum. LVEDd: Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter; LVEF: Left ventricular ejection fraction; Recovered: Last LVEF ≥ 0.50; Non-recovered: Last LVEF < 0.50;

^aP≤ 0.05 vs non-recovered.