At HUM, a young woman with peripartum cardiomyopathy comes through our doors almost every day.  In fact, we likely see and treat more PPCM patients than any other emergency department in the world.  Therefore, we have to make sure we’re doing it right.  This video covers the proper management of these young mothers when they present to our ED.

The bottom line:  Stabilize, diagnose, diuresis with IV furosemide, and when able to discharge, if not admitted to the inpatient service, discharge with the RIGHT home medications including AT LEAST 10mg of enalapril daily.

Special thanks to Dr. Gene Kwan, cardiologist at Boston Medical Center, who with minimal notice, kindly agreed to give the HUM ED residents an impromptu lecture on this important subject.  Much of this presentation was adapted from his lecture.