[Postpartum cardiomyopathy in the Sudanese-Sahelian area. Clinical and epidemiologic studies of 66 cases].

The authors report 66 cases of peri- and postpartum cardiomyopathy. The patients' age ranged from 16 to 42 years (mean +/- SD 30 +/- 7 years). All were black women native of the western part of the Republic of Niger, Sahelian in the north, Sudanese in the south. At first examination, all had signs of congestive cardiac failure. In 67 p. 100 of the cases these signs appeared during the first six postpartum weeks. Clinical, radioscopic and echocardiographic features were always those of dilated cardiomyopathy, even when arterial pressure was high. Hypertension was present at first examination in 50.8 p. 100 of the cases, but it remained stable under treatment in 13 p. 100. These data suggest an acute postpartum hypertension. The following risk factors of the disease were identified: rural living, absence of school attendance, low family income, multiparity, identical pathology after a previous pregnancy, postpartum "quarantine" period, ritual ablutions with very hot water, large amounts of sodium in the diet, hypertension, breast-feeding and postpartum oestrogen secretion decrease. Seasonal variations were noted, with doubling of new cases during the hot and humid season. The hypothesis of a latent gravidic myocarditis is discussed: the accumulation of risk factors during the postpartum period might trigger off the clinical disease. Forty seven patients were followed up for a mean period of 15 months. Seven died, 21 (31.8 p. 100) were in complete remission and 19 in partial remission. In case of relapse, complete remission was less frequent and appeared more slowly under treatment. Persistent cardiomegaly under treatment was of poor prognosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)