Prognostic value of NT-proBNP for myocardial recovery in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM)

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an important cause of pregnancy-associated heart failure worldwide. Although a significant number of women recover their left ventricular (LV) function within 12 months, some remain with persistently reduced systolic function. Knowledge gaps exist on predictors of myocardial recovery in PPCM. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) is the only clinically established biomarker with diagnostic value in PPCM. We aimed to establish whether NT-pro-BNP could serve as a predictor of LV recovery in PPCM, as measured by LV end diastolic volume (LVEDD) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF).