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Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Due to Myocarditis

List of authors.
  • Kenneth R. Melvin, M.D.,
  • Peter J. Richardson, M.R.C.P.,
  • Eckhardt G. J. Olsen, F.R.C.Path.,
  • Kieran Daly, M.R.C.P.I.,
  • and Graham Jackson, M.R.C.P.

PRIMARY myocardial disease that develops during the course of pregnancy is a rare but exacting diagnostic problem. The variation in the time of onset of this disease from the second trimester of pregnancy until well into the puerperium has led to debate regarding terminology.1 , 2 We refer to peripartum cardiomyopathy as the new presentation of primary myocardial disease during pregnancy or in the first five months after pregnancy.In the evaluation of patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy it is necessary to exclude or identify myocarditis immediately because of the important therapeutic implications. We have included endomyocardial biopsy in the diagnostic workup of . . .

Funding and Disclosures

Supported by grants from the British Heart Foundation and the Ontario Heart Foundation.

Author Affiliations

From the Cardiac Department, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London. Address reprint requests to Dr. Jackson at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SES 9RS, England.

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