Peripartum cardiomyopathy is best described as?

• A. Dilated cardiomyopathy occurring late in pregnancy or postpartum; managed with GDMT with pregnancy considerations
• B. Is a form of ischemic heart disease
• C. Occurs only during pregnancy with no postpartum cases
• D. A disease unrelated to pregnancy

Answer: (A)

PPCM is a dilated cardiomyopathy presenting with new-onset heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction that occurs late in pregnancy or in the months after delivery. It is not due to ischemic heart disease and is linked to the peripartum period, with postpartum cases possible. Treatment follows guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure, but with pregnancy-safe adjustments: some standard drugs are avoided during pregnancy and alternative regimens are used, then standard GDMT can be pursued after delivery. This combination of timing (late pregnancy or postpartum), the dilated cardiomyopathy picture, and pregnancy-aware management is what defines the condition.