**Introduction/Hypothesis:**
PPCM is a non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy that affects women near the term of their pregnancy or within 5 months after delivery. PPCM represents a significant concern for maternal health with incidence rate of 1:1000 to 1:4000. It is defined by a left ventricular systolic dysfunction with an LV ejection fraction of less than 45 percent, independent of LV dilation, and in the absence of an identifiable cause for heart failure.
Ultrasound has been used to evaluate PPCM but the utility of CMR has been increasing. In acute phase, there is diffuse myocardial edema with elevated T2, that normalized over time. The presence and extent of LGE have been directly associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and recurrence of PPCM in subsequent pregnancies. CMR excels in evaluating LV cardiac function and morphology. CMR also allows morpho-functional assessment of the right ventricle (RV), when RV involvement is suspected and evaluation of thrombotic complications, a known risk of PPCM. 
Alternative diagnoses like myocarditis and other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy can be evaluated with CMR.
CMR also good at detecting mass vs thrombus in T1 sequences

**Methods**
Purpose: 
Given the potentially life-threatening nature of PPCM, our study aims to demonstrate the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), focusing on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), in affecting patient outcomes.

**Results**
Major Teaching points: 
1. CMR findings in PPRM with functional cardiac evaluation, LGE pattern, and its prognostic values in relation with myocardial injury and fibrosis.
2. Evaluation of complications like cardiac failure, LV thrombosis.
3. Rule out other differentials like valvular heart disease, myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy.
4. No risk of renal damage in the short or long term of LGE using IV contrast agents of Group 2 (Gadolinium-based)

**Conclusion**
CMR is superior in diagnosing and evaluating PPCM including its advantages over echocardiography and the prognostic value of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in predicting clinical outcomes and guiding clinical management.



**Introduction/Hypothesis:**
PPCM is a non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy that affects women near the term of their pregnancy or within 5 months after delivery. PPCM represents a significant concern for maternal health with incidence rate of 1:1000 to 1:4000. It is defined by a left ventricular systolic dysfunction with an LV ejection fraction of less than 45 percent, independent of LV dilation, and in the absence of an identifiable cause for heart failure.
Ultrasound has been used to evaluate PPCM but the utility of CMR has been increasing. In acute phase, there is diffuse myocardial edema with elevated T2, that normalized over time. The presence and extent of LGE have been directly associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and recurrence of PPCM in subsequent pregnancies. CMR excels in evaluating LV cardiac function and morphology. CMR also allows morpho-functional assessment of the right ventricle (RV), when RV involvement is suspected and evaluation of thrombotic complications, a known risk of PPCM. 
Alternative diagnoses like myocarditis and other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy can be evaluated with CMR.
CMR also good at detecting mass vs thrombus in T1 sequences

**Methods**
**Purpose**: 
Given the potentially life-threatening nature of PPCM, our study aims to demonstrate the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), focusing on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), in affecting patient outcomes.

**Results**
**Major Teaching points:** 
1. CMR findings in PPRM with functional cardiac evaluation, LGE pattern, and its prognostic values in relation with myocardial injury and fibrosis.
2. Evaluation of complications like cardiac failure, LV thrombosis.
3. Rule out other differentials like valvular heart disease, myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy.
4. No risk of renal damage in the short or long term of LGE using IV contrast agents of Group 2 (Gadolinium-based)

**Conclusion**
CMR is superior in diagnosing and evaluating PPCM including its advantages over echocardiography and the prognostic value of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in predicting clinical outcomes and guiding clinical management.



Cardiac MRI in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Findings and Prognostic Value

This course will explore basic and cutting-edge imaging techniques to improve patient care and hone individual skills in performance and interpretation of echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Days will reinforce how cardiovascular imaging may improve comprehension in ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and heart failure. Experts will utilize novel techniques to reinforce key topics including taped interventional cases and a strong emphasis on case presentations.