Congestive heart failure in pregnancy: a case of peripartum cardiomyopathy
Rosner, G.; Wolchock Rosner, S.N.; Heller, I.; Topilsky, M.
Netherlands Journal of Medicine 62(8): 290-292
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-2977 PMID: 15588070 Document Number: 571125
A healthy 28-year-old woman developed full-blown pulmonary oedema in the 36th week of gestation. Echocardiography revealed a globally enlarged heart with reduced systolic function. A remarkable clinical response with regain of normal ventricular function was noted with early medical intervention. This case report illustrates peripartum cardiomyopathy, a unique form of dilated cardiomyopathy affecting women during/following gestation. Clinician familiarity with this entity increases the probability of prompt appropriate treatment, offering patients the best possible prognosis.