From Pregnancy to Heart Failure: A Review of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Webinar title: From Pregnancy to Heart Failure: A Review of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
This presentation is a review of pregnancy and postpartum cardiac pathophysiology, including definitions, incidence, and risk factors. This summary will Identify the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, and PPCM management. In addition, the morbidity and mortality outcomes related to peripartum cardiomyopathy will be discussed.

Speaker: Dr. Nancy Comello, DNP, CNM, FAWHONN, RNC-OB/MNN, C-EFM/ONQ

Nancy Comello, DNP, CNM, a nurse and nurse-midwife for more than 35 years, is employed by UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital and the University of Wisconsin Health in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, as an obstetric specialist. She educates birth attendants in evidence-based practice. Nancy holds certifications in Inpatient Obstetrics, Maternal Newborn, Fetal Monitoring, and Obstetrical and Newborn Safety. She is a Fellow of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). Nancy is the founder and director of the nonprofit organization, Supporting Safe Birth, Inc., focused on training Guatemalan birth attendants, including community and professional midwives, first responders, nurses, and doctors.

Objectives:

1. Review the criteria for diagnosing peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and identify the epidemiology and global incidence of PPCM
2. Discuss the potential pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors of PPCM
3. Recognize the clinical signs and symptoms of PPCM, which can often overlap with normal pregnancy symptoms
4. Describe the management of patients presenting with acute heart failure
5. Review the prognosis of PPCM, including rates of recovery, risk factors for persistent heart dysfunction, and the potential for long-term complications