Heart failure & cardiomyopathies

Clinical characteristics, echocardiographic findings, and 6-month outcomes in Ugandan women with peripartum cardiomyopathy

ESC Heart FailPublished prospective cohort study

Authors' conclusion

This study shows a high mortality rate of 7.5% aligning with global studies, the observed high thrombus burden and stroke occurred in 10% and 2.5%, respectively which may indicate severity of LV systolic dysfunction at presentation. Two-thirds of patients received Bromocriptine in addition to GDMT which may explain the high rate of LV recovery in this cohort.

Study context

Population
Women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in Uganda on goal-directed medical therapy (GDMT)PPCM women, 80 matched controls recruited at baseline as comparison for the biomarkers
Participants
80 women
Exposure
PPCM cases vs matched controls
  • Casesn = 80
  • Controlsn = 80
Outcome
Age
Follow-up
Baseline
Methodological detailsmatched for age, matched controls
  • Matched for age
  • Matched controls

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Cases

33.6 ± 6.6

mean · years

Controls

30.2 ± 5.9

mean · years

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

OutcomeCasesControls
LVEF, LV GLS, RV GLS · baseline
Mean LVEF35.7 ± 11.0%67.2 ± 4.5%
Mean LV GLS−11.9 ± 4.7%−17.1 ± 4.9%
Mean RV GLS−14.7 ± 10.9%— not stated in the abstract
Death · 6 months7.5%— not stated in the abstract
NYHA I · 6 months65%— not stated in the abstract
LV recovery (LVEF ≥ 50%) · 6 months46.3%— not stated in the abstract

— not stated in the abstract

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), RV GLS · baseline

All controls had normal RV systolic function parameters

Baseline severity in cases

LVEF <35%
22 (27.5%)
Severe RV systolic dysfunction
6 (7.5%)
NYHA IV
20 (25%)
Received bromocriptine therapy in addition to other GDMT
54 (68%)

Safety

Atrial fibrillation and intracardiac thrombus · 6 months

Atrial fibrillation
2 (2.5%)
Intracardiac thrombus
8 (10%)

Original publication

Clinical characteristics, echocardiographic findings, and 6-month outcomes in Ugandan women with peripartum cardiomyopathy. ESC Heart Fail. Published 8 January 2026. doi:10.1093/eschf/xvaf005

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