We analyzed baseline parameters of LVEF in 187 PPCM patients with ≥6 months follow-up data in an attempt to detect the value of baseline LVEF as a predictor of early recovery or persistence of severe LV dysfunction. Recovery of LV function (LVEF ≥50 % ) at 6 months after diagnosis was found in 115 patients (61 % ). Multivariate analysis identified baseline LVEF >30 % as a significant predictor for recovery (odds ratio 5.2, 95 % confidence interval 1.96–7.70; P > .0001). Recovery of LV function was 6.4-fold higher in women with baseline LVEF ≥ 30 % (group III) and 3.9-fold higher in women with LVEF 20 % –29 % (group II) compared with those with LVEF 10 % –19 % (group I). Failure to achieve full recovery was seen in 63 % of group I patients, 32 % of group II (P = .03), and 21 % of group III (P = .02 vs group I). Failure to achieve LVEF ≥30 % was seen in 30 % of group I patients and 13 % of group II (P = .09).
Early recovery in patients with PPCM is significantly related to the degree of myocardial insult at time of diagnosis. Baseline LVEF however, has a limited sensitivity for prediction of failure to improve in individual patients and can not be used as an indication for premature use of aggressive therapy including devices or cardiac transplantation.