Medical disorders in pregnancyFree in the app
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
New heart failure late in pregnancy or up to 6 months after.
Source: ESC 2025 · ESC 2018| Definition | Heart failure with EF below 45%, late pregnancy to about 6 months postpartum, no other cause. |
|---|---|
| Presentation | Breathlessness, orthopnoea, oedema, tachycardia — easily mistaken for normal pregnancy. |
| Tests | BNP, ECG, echo, chest X-ray. |
BromocriptineSevere PPCM2.5 mg twice daily for 2 weeks, then 2.5 mg daily for 6 weeks.⚠ Always with prophylactic LMWH.
Beta-blockerHeart failureMetoprolol or labetalol.⚠ Avoid atenolol.
FurosemideCongestionLowest effective dose.
Advise against another pregnancy if EF has not returned to 50% or more.
A summary for trained clinicians. Always check the full guideline, the patient in front of you and your hospital's protocol. Spotted an error? Tell us.