Kardiologischer Fall: 38-jährige Frau mit Dyspnoe und Intoleranz flach zu liegen nach Entbindung von Joseph Alpert, MD

A cardiology consultation is requested for a 38-year-old woman who became short of breath several days after delivering her sixth child. She had been previously well, and her earlier 5 pregnancies were without complication. The patient states that she cannot lie flat at night because lying flat makes her very short of breath. She denies any previous cardiovascular problems or symptoms. On physical examination, her blood pressure is 92/70 mm Hg, heart rate is 98 beats/min, and respiratory rate is 21 breaths/min. Her peripheral oxygen saturation is 89% and jugular venous pressure is 12 cm of water. On lung and heart auscultation, crackles are heard halfway up her back, and a grade 2/6 blowing holosystolic murmur is heard at the apex. Which of the following is the best next step in the diagnostic evaluation of this patient?

Which of the following is TRUE about postpartum dilated cardiomyopathy (PPCM)?