Psychiatr Pol. 2025 Oct 20:1-11. doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/207884. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a myocardial disease characterized by a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction below 45%, developing at the end of pregnancy or within a few months after its termination. It is a condition with multifactorial etiology that remains incompletely elucidated. Presumed pathophysiological mechanisms include excessive oxidative stress and abnormal prolactin and tryptophan metabolism. These mechanisms may also underlie the development of psychiatric disorders, which occur more frequently in patients with PPCM than in women without the condition. Studies show that PPCM patients are characterized by mental deterioration and a higher risk of diseases such as depression and schizophrenia. Since bromocriptine indirectly inhibits prolactin secretion, the important role of this drug in the treatment of PPCM is highlighted. Recent studies also highlight the potential risks of using psychiatric drugs in patients with cardiovascular burden resulting from PPCM. This article provides an overview of current knowledge on the relationship between peripartum cardiomyopathy and psychiatric disorders.
PMID:42893373 | DOI:10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/207884