Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Risk factors

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Researchers still do not know exactly why some women develop peripartum cardiomyopathy.

However, there are some risk factors that have been implicated.

  • Twin pregnancies (7 to 10% of published cases)
  • History of pre-eclampsia (aka toxemia) and postpartum hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Maternal cocaine abuse
  • Enterovirus infection
  • Selenium deficiency
  • Use of preterm labor drugs (terbutaline for more than 4 weeks, long-term use of ritodrine, combining preterm labor drugs)
  • Toxic substances, including some drugs for chemotherapy
  • Family history of peripartum cardiomyopathy
  • Guillian-Barre neuropathy
  • Myocarditis (Inflamation of the middle layer of the heart wall)
  • Viral trigger

E-mail me at: karens7@charter.net


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