Published Paper Details:

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a life-threatening disorder of unknown aetiology that occurs in the last month of pregnancy or in first five months post-partum with absence of determinable cause for cardiac failure and absence of determinable heart disease.The disease is relatively uncommon with an estimated rate of 1 in 3,000-4,000 deliveries and its incidence is getting increased nowadays. The diagnosis of this entity is often difficult and it requires a high degree of clinical suspicion since majority of the cases in puerperium with cardiac failure (acute LVF or cardiac arrhythymias) and are often the cause for maternal mortality. Therefore it is essential that when aetiological risk factor is present in a case or whenever clinical suspicion arises, 2D echocardiogram be suggested to diagnose peripartum cardiomyopathy. Early diagnosis facilitates immediate intervention, which will prevent maternal morbidity, mortality and it also helps to team up with an internist or cardiologist to provide effective treatment to the patient. In this regard the present study was conducted to review the role of routine 2D echo in high risk antenatal women and it also throws light on the role of this noninvasive modality to diagnose cardiomyopathy of pregnancy and puerperium. The aims and objectives of the study are to evaIuate the role of 2D ECHO in diagnosing peripartum cardiomyopathy and to assess its prognostic value for a better maternal and fetal outcome.