To elucidate the long-term outcome and frequency of complications after heart transplantation for peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), we compared the courses of eight consecutive patients undergoing transplantation for PPCM with those of nine female age-matched control subjects undergoing transplantation for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). No significant differences could be found in baseline variables between the two groups with the exception of the number of pregnancies (2.5 +/- 1.5 vs 0, p = 0.0002). Two patients in each group died during the first 6 months after transplantation, and one in each group died later. Actuarial survival rates were 75% +/- 15% and 78% +/- 14% (p = NS) at 1 year and 60% +/- 18% and 78% +/- 14% (p = NS) at 5 years in PPCM and IDCM patients, respectively. Linearized rejection rates during the first 3 months were 1.85 +/- 0.56 and 1.91 +/- 0.49 (p = NS) and during the second 3 months were 0.18 +/- 0.18 and 0.45 +/- 0.26 (p = NS), respectively. Similarly no significant differences in linearized infection rates were found. Among patients surviving more than 6 months after transplantation, after a mean follow-up period of 4.5 +/- 3.1 years for those with PPCM and 7.8 +/- 3.2 years for those with IDCM, 83% and 100%, respectively, were rehabilitated; hemodynamic findings were normal in all patients and the frequency of other transplant-associated complications was similar in both groups. In conclusion, heart transplantation is a valuable option for patients with PPCM and severe congestive heart failure that is unresponsive to conventional treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)