Racial disparities in peripartum cardiomyopathy: eighteen years of observations

Abstract

Background

Black women have greater than a three-fold risk of pregnancy-associated death compared to White women; cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of maternal mortality.

Objectives

This study examined racial disparities in health outcomes among women with peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Study design

Retrospective cohort of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute definition from January 2000 to November 2017 from a single referral center. Selected health outcomes among Black and White women were compared; primary outcome was ejection fraction at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular outcomes, markers of maternal morbidity, resource utilization, and subsequent pregnancy outcomes.

Results

Ninety-five women met inclusion criteria: 48% Black, 52% White. Nearly all peripartum cardiomyopathy diagnoses were postpartum (95.4% Black, 93% White, p=.11). Ejection fraction at diagnosis was not different between Black and White women (26.8 ± 12.5 vs. 28.7 ± 9.9, p=.41). Though non-significant, fewer Black women had myocardial recovery to EF ≥55% (35 vs. 53%, p=.07); however, 11 (24%) of Black women vs. 1 (2%) White woman had an ejection fraction ≤35% at 6–12 months postpartum (p<.01). More Black women underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement: n = 15 (33%) vs. n = 7 (14%), p=.03. Eight women (8.4%) died in the study period, not different by race (p=.48). Black women had higher rates of healthcare utilization. In the subsequent pregnancy, Black women had a lower initial ejection fraction (40 vs. 55%, p=.007) and were less likely to recover postpartum (37.5 vs. 55%, p=.02).

Conclusions

Black and White women have similar mean ejection fraction at diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy, but Black women have more severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction leading to worse outcomes, increased resource use, and lower ejection fraction entering the subsequent pregnancy.

Keywords:

• Maternal morbidity
• maternal mortality
• peripartum cardiomyopathy
• racial disparities

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author (s). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number UL1TR003096.