Research Article

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Care at Lomé University Hospital of Campus

Authors: Tcherou T, Yayehd K, Atta Db, Gafa A, Kpelafia M, Togbossi Ek, Pessinaba S, Bakai Am, Pio M, Baragou S, Damorou F.

DOI: 10.33425/2639-8486.1223

---

Abstract

Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic data and access outcomes of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) at Lomé University Hospital Centre (CHU), campus de Lomé.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, carried out from January 2012 to December 2021 in the department of cardiology at the Campus University Hospital of Lomé. The study included patients of African origin diagnosed with PPCM on the basis of clinical and echocardiographic evidence.

Results: PPCM accounted for 3.3% of all heart failure patients, 6.7% of heart failure in women and 1.3% of all hospitalisations in the cardiology department. The mean age was 31.3 ± 6.1 years, with 67.6% aged over 30, and 70% of patients had a low socioeconomic status. Multiparous women were the most common (35.3%). Symptoms appeared in the postpartum period in 93.8% of cases. Functional signs were dominated by dyspnoea at NYHA stage IV (100%) and oedema of the lower limbs (78%). On electrocardiogram, left ventricular hypertrophy was found in 58.5% of cases. All patients had left ventricular dilatation and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 29.5 ± 7.8%. Treatment was for systolic heart failure in all cases and 12.3% had received bromocriptine. The main complication was pulmonary embolism (24.6%). The rate of intra-hospital death was 3.1%.

Conclusion: PPCM was relatively common; the patient profile was multiparous, in her thirties, with a low socioeconomic level. Thromboembolic complications were frequent, with a significant rate of death

View / Download PDF