Table 3: Spectrum of clinical history, relevant physical examination and ECG findings of the study population.
Clinical variables (n = 90) |
Frequency (%) |
Onset of HF symptoms Last month of pregnancy Within six months post-delivery |
2 (2.2) 88 (97.8) |
NYHA class Class I Class II Class III Class IV |
0 (0.0) 5 (5.6) 22 (24.4) 63 (70.0) |
Dyspnoea Yes No |
90 (100.0) 0 (0) |
Cough Yes No |
87 (96.7) 3 (3.3) |
Easy fatigue Yes No |
87 (96.7) 3 (3.3) |
Hemoptysis (blood stained sputum) Yes No |
43 (48.3) 47 (51.7) |
Orthopnea Yes No |
79 (87.8) 11 (12.2) |
PND Yes No |
87 (96.7) 3 (3.3) |
Leg swelling Yes No |
89 (98.9) 1 (1.1) |
Abdominal swelling Yes No |
83 (92.2) 7 (7.8) |
Easy satiety Yes No |
63 (70.1) 27 (29.6) |
Right hypochondria pain Yes No |
58 (64.2) 32 (35.8) |
History of pre-partum haemorrhage Yes No |
8 (8.6) 82 (96.3) |
Multiple gestation Yes No |
7 (7.8) 83 (92.2) |
History of post-partum haemorrhage Yes No |
5 (5.6) 85 (94.4) |
Pulse rate ± SD (bpm) |
116.3 ± 11.0 |
SBP ± SD (mmHg) |
108.7 ± 14.9 |
DBP ± SD (mmHg) |
74.6 ± 13.0 |
JVP Raised Not raised |
73 (83.9) 14 (16.1) |
Displaced apex Displaced Not displaced |
86 (95.4) 4 (4.6%) |
S3 gallop Present Absent |
85 (94.4) 5 (5.6) |
Murmur Mitral regurgitant Tricuspid regurgitant Mitral and tricuspid regurgitant Absent murmur |
29 (32.2) 0 (0) 9 (10.0) 52 (57.8) |
Pitting pedal oedema Present Absent |
83 (92.2) 7 (7.8) |
Hepatomegaly Present Absent |
80 (88.9) 10 (11.1) |
Demonstrable ascites Present Absent |
82 (91.1) 8 (8.9) |
Pattern of ventricular HF at presentation BVHF LVHF |
84 (93.3) 6 (6.7) |
Low QRS voltage Present Absent |
70 (78.0) 20 (22.0) |
LVH Present Absent |
13 (14.0) 77 (86.0) |
BMI: Body Mass Index; BSA: Body Surface Area; NYHA: New York Heart Association; PND: Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea; JVP: Jugular Venous Pressure; HF: Heart failure; LVHF: Left Ventricular Heart Failure; BVHF: Biventricular Heart failure; LVH: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy