Peripartum versus idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in young women--a comparison of clinical, pathologic and prognostic features.

Clinicopathologic features of 13 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy were compared to 13 women aged 19 through 38 with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. No presenting clinical or pathologic variable distinguished either group. However, the clinical course differed between the groups. Eleven of 13 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy had a poor clinical outcome, defined as persistent heart failure or death. Patients in this group succumbed one year or more after disease onset. Five of 13 patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy had poor outcome, with death occurring 9 months or less after disease onset. The clinical course of peripartum cardiomyopathy appears distinct from that of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in young women.