Objective: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) diagnosis made by excluding identifiable causes of heart failure (HF) and occurs end of the pregnancy or during the postpartum period of five months. It presents a clinical HF spectrum with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Background: The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical characteristics, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging features, and end-points consisting of left ventricle recovery, left ventricular assist device implantation, heart transplantation, and all-cause mortality. Method: Outpatient HF records between 2008 to 2021 were screened. Thirty-seven patients were defined as PPCM. Twenty-five patients had CMR evaluation at the time of diagnosis, and six patients were re-evaluated with CMR. Results: The mean age was 30.5±5.6 years, and the mean LVEF was 28.2±6.7%. In thirteen(35.7%) patients, LVEF recovered during the follow-up course. The median recovery time was 281(IQR [78-358]) days. LVEF on CMR was 35.3±10.5, and three patients exhibited late gadolinium enhancement(LGE) patterns. Sub-endocardial and mid-wall uptake pattern types were detected. 18(75%) patients met the Petersen left ventricle non-compaction cardiomyopathy(LVNC) criteria. Patients with NC/C ratio lower than 2.3 had lower LVEDVi and LVESVi (124.9±35.4,86.4±7.5, p=0.003;86.8±34.6,52.6±7.6, p=0.006), respectively. The median follow-up time was 2129 (IQR [911-2634]) days. The primary endpoint-free one-year survival was 88.9%(event rate 11.1%), and five-year survival was 75.7%(event rate 24.3%). Conclusion: In a retrospective cohort of PPCM patients, 35.7% of patients’ LVEF recovered, and the primary end-point of free-five-year survival was 75%. Twenty-five patients were assessed with CMR; three of four met the Petersen CMR-derived LVNC at initial evaluation.

Objective This study aims to research the effect of the increased interstitial fluid accumulation in patients with congestive heart failure on the diffusion capacity of the alveolar-capillary membrane. Methods This prospective study is conducted on 77 in-patients diagnosed with pulmonary edema and decompansated heart failure. The B-line counts of the patients are calculated through echocardiography and thoracic ultrasonography within the first 24 hours of their admission and the patients are categorized into two groups based on their B-line counts being higher or lower than 15. After sufficient diuretic treatment, the patients are subjected to respiratory function test, diffusion test(DLCO) and 6 minute walk test. Results The following results in study have been found in the echocardiography of the patients in the higher-than-15 B-line group: lower RVEF (p=0,003), lower RVSm (p=0,014), higher SPAP (p<0,0001), higher TRV (p=0,001), more dilated VCI radius (p<0,0001), higher LA volume(p=0,007), higher E/e’>15 (p<0,0001), higher pleural effusıon (p=0,014). The following results have been found in the respiratory function test, DLCO and 6 minute walk test of the patients in the higher-than-15 B-line group: lower FVC (p <0,0001),lower FEV1 (p=0,002), lower corrected DLCO (p<0,0001), lower 6 minute walk test (p<0,0001).16 of the 77 patients have undergone right heart catheterization during their stay in the hospital and higher PVR (p=0,039) has been found in the higher-than-15 B-line group. Conclusion B-line counts of higher than 15 may be predictor of decrease in diffusion capacity, restrictive patern in respiratory function, decrease in right ventricular function and increase in pulmonary vascular resistance.