Interv Akut Kardiol. 2009;8(5):255-258

Peripartum cardiomyopathy - case report and concise review

Tomáš Belza¹, Pavel Švancar², Rostislav Polášek¹, Dušan Morman

¹ Kardiologické oddělení, Krajská nemocnice Liberec

² ARO Krajská nemocnice Liberec

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare, but life threatening disease, which affects women in the last month of pregnancy or in the

first five months after delivery (1). Our case report describes a case of patient, who was admitted for shortness of breath and rapidly

worsening shock closely after Caesarean section. The termination of pregnancy was indicated acutely for the signs of fetal hypoxia due to

accidentally detected incesant supraventricular tachycardia of the mother. As the cause of the shock was diagnosed heart failure due to

peripartum cardiomyopathy. The treatment was symptomatic by diuretics, inotropes, amiodarone, later on betablocker and ACEI. The mechanical

cardiac support was not required. The signs of heart failure subsided in two weeks, in subsequent period the left ventricular

ejection fraction turned normal as well. This positive state lasts during the two-year follow-up till now. There was a rehospitalisation for

fatique and faintness, caused by hyperthyreoidism, probably in consequens of transient administration of amiodarone, which indication

was incesant supraventricular tachycardia in the acute settings. There was no rehospitalisation for heart failure or arrhythmias. There is

a discussion of diagnostic, treatment and prognosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy in the article.

Keywords: peripartum cardiomyopathy, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, pregnancy.

Published: November 20, 2009  Show citation