Peripartum cardiomyopathy, place of drug therapy, assist devices, and outcome after left ventricular assistance

Abstract

Peripartum cardiomyopathy remains a challenging obstetric and cardiologic emergency. We report 5 interesting cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy with different clinical courses, with 3 patients requiring left ventricular assist device implantation. One patient underwent pump explantation and aortic balloon valvuloplasty postsurgery. Two patients improved with the medical treatment alone without the need of assistance. We will review main important related issues.

Keywords: Aortic valvuloplasty; Left ventricular assist device; Peripartum cardiomyopathy.