Dr. Fett - Question.

[SarahsMom]

Hey Dr. Fett,

Hope all is well with you. I had a cardiologist appointment last week (I'm 16 weeks pregnant with my post-PPCM pregnancy) my cardiologist was excited and upbeat that my echo looked so good. (4.6cm and 60%ef - I'm 5'5" 121lbs). I asked him, "Do you think this thing (PPCM) will come back?" He said it was very unlikely. Do you agree with that statement? I made me feel great but, I'm still very, very gaurded.

Just was interested in your opinion.

Thanks,
Kari

[JAMESFETT]

Yes that's good news. One day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. It is good to be cautiously optimistic--cautious because for women in your category, recovered heart function before next pregnancy, only a small percentage (we in Haiti think the small percentage is less than 10percent, Elkayam's group studied in USA puts it at about 20 percent) have a relapse, but if there is a relapse it comes at the very end of the subsequent pregnancy or within the first 3 months (up to 5) after delivery. Keep your chin up, things are going very well, keep up with the monitoring of important parameters. A clue prior to symptoms of heart failure of threat for relapse would be: 1)blood B-type NP abnormal, 2)blood hs-CRP >20 to 50 mg/L, 3)falling EF.



James

[SarahsMom]

Dr. Fett,

Thanks for the advise. I'll keep my chin up and continue to think positive thoughts about this pregnancy. It's just so scary that (4) different cardiologists have told me NOT to get pregnant again, and here I am going against all of their professional advice. I guess I hear one bit of decent news and I hold onto that in hopes that this thing doesn't come back - It was the worst experience of my entire life and I pray that it doesn't reoccur.

Thanks again and we'll keep up the monitoring.

Kari