Pregnancies in women after peri-partum cardiomyopathy: the global European Society of Cardiology EuroObservational Research Programme Peri-Partum Cardiomyopathy Registry

Abstract

Maternal morbidity and mortality rates were lower than anticipated. Baseline LVEF <50% was not associated with an increased frequency of adverse maternal outcomes, and no further decline in LVEF was observed in this group. In contrast, women with SSPs and a baseline LVEF ≥50% experienced a decline in LVEF, potentially attributable to reduced use of heart failure pharmacotherapy during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Therapeutic termination was performed in approximately a fifth of cases. The findings suggest that reclassification of a SSP with persisting mild left ventricular impairment from modified World Health Organization (mWHO) Class IV (contraindicated) to mWHO III may be considered, while remaining under the care of an experienced medical team and with appropriate pharmacological management.