The Way to a Mother’s Heart: A Risk Assessment Tool for the Early Detection of Maternal Peripartum Cardiomyopathies

Project Abstract

Abstract

Background

Peripartum cardiomyopathies are a rare, but deadly occurrence among pregnant and postpartum women. Maternal mortality rates have risen over the last few years proving a large problem with the focus on maternal health.

Objective

The objective of this intervention was to aid providers in diagnosing peripartum cardiomyopathies early before detrimental damage could be done to the hearts of these women.

Methods

In this quality improvement project, the need for a peripartum cardiomyopathy risk assessment survey among patients in small, rural area of Western Kentucky was determined.

Results

Using the 22 surveys that were collected, 36.4% of patients were considered high-risk, 22.7% were considered intermediate-risk, and 40.9% were considered low-risk. While the majority were in the low risk category, it was not far behind those who were considered high-risk.

Conclusions

Through surveying patients in a rural facility’s perinatal services unit, it was determined that even in a small area, there is a need for assessing the risk of developing a PPCM.

Implications for Nursing

The creation of an educational pamphlet and a risk assessment tool based on known risk factors of PPCM allowed for the identification of ladies that had the potential to develop a cardiomyopathy related to pregnancy.

Keywords: peripartum cardiomyopathy, pregnancy, heart-failure, post-partum

Conference

Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives

37th Coalition Conference

April 23-25, 2025

https://www.kcnpnm.org/page/conference

Funding Type

Travel Grant

Academic College

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Area/Major/Minor

DNP-FNP

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Classification

Senior

Name

Dr. Michael Rust, DNP, FNP-BC

Academic College

School of Nursing and Health Professions

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