An interesting case of acute heart failure: peripartum cardiomyopathy

Efstathios Koulouris; Evangelos Sdogkos; Aggelos Georgakopoulos; Anila   Spahiu; Ioannis  Vogiatzis

doi:10.5455/CRSM.20240907081732

Abstract
An interesting case of acute heart failure, which was caused by peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), is reported. A 29-year-old woman complained of shortness of breath and bilateral peripheral edema with progressive deterioration in the last 7 days after her second childbirth. The electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia with no acute ST-segment changes. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed diffuse left ventricular wall hypokinesis with increased dimensions, an ejection fraction (E.F.) of 30% and moderate mitral and tricuspid regurgitations. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was performed, where no narrowing of the coronary arteries or pulmonary embolism (PE) was observed. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was recommended which showed an image compatible with PPCM.
Conclusion: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy and TTE is important for the diagnosis.

Key words: Peripartum cardiomyopathy, postpartum cardiomyopathy, pregnancy, heart failure, bromocriptin