Which biomarker is typically elevated in postpartum cardiomyopathy?

Which biomarker is typically elevated in postpartum cardiomyopathy?

• A. BNP elevated
• B. Troponin elevation
• C. D-dimer elevated
• D. CK-MB elevated

Answer: (A)

Postpartum cardiomyopathy causes heart failure from systolic dysfunction, so the heart experiences increased wall stress and volume overload. When the ventricles stretch, they release B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which accumulates in the blood and reflects the severity of heart failure. That makes BNP the typical biomarker elevated in this condition. Troponin and CK-MB indicate myocardial injury rather than chronic heart failure, so they’re not reliably elevated in isolated postpartum cardiomyopathy unless there’s concurrent myocardial damage. D-dimer is a marker of coagulation and fibrinolysis and can be elevated in the postpartum period for other reasons, but it doesn’t reflect heart failure.

Postpartum cardiomyopathy causes heart failure from systolic dysfunction, so the heart experiences increased wall stress and volume overload. When the ventricles stretch, they release B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which accumulates in the blood and reflects the severity of heart failure. That makes BNP the typical biomarker elevated in this condition.

Troponin and CK-MB indicate myocardial injury rather than chronic heart failure, so they’re not reliably elevated in isolated postpartum cardiomyopathy unless there’s concurrent myocardial damage. D-dimer is a marker of coagulation and fibrinolysis and can be elevated in the postpartum period for other reasons, but it doesn’t reflect heart failure.