Abstract
Introduction
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (MPP) is a type of cardiomyopathy characterized by heart failure secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction during the last month of pregnancy or in the first 5 months of puerperium without other apparent etiology, being a diagnosis of exclusion. The left ventricle is not always dilated, but the fraction of left ventricular ejection is always less than 45%. The natural history and prognosis of the disease is diverse. Ventricular dysfunction is usually transient and normalizes at 3-6 months in up to 60% of cases. Mortality is variable, with reports ranging from 0 to 28%, affecting more certain ethnic groups, in patients with persistent ventricular dysfunction, evidence of the efficacy of a specific treatment beyond optimal medical therapy for heart failure is limited.
Clinical case
We present the clinical case of a 22-year-old woman, who was referred to the our institute with an acute heart failure syndrome two months after the end of her first pregnancy. On admission to the hospital, dilated cardiomyopathy and intracavitary thrombi were documented by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with dilatation and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy, generalized hypokinesia and mobile thrombi inside, the largest of 34x16mm with severe left ventricular dysfunction 3D LVEF of 28% and global longitudinal strain (GLS) of -5.8%, pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation. Other specific etiologies of dilated cardiomyopathy were investigated and discarded, finally establishing the diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy. The support management was carried with inotropic, diuretic, supplemental oxygen and parenteral anticoagulation was initiated, with gradual improvement. Subsequently, optimal medical treatment was started for heart failure, cabergoline and vitamin K antagonist. He was released to his home on II NYHA. Two months later she presented with progressive dyspnea, increased abdominal perimeter. On March 14, 2018, a TTE was performed, with absence of improvement in conventional and advanced ventricular function parameters. Apical thrombi of smaller size compared with previous study, severe left ventricular dysfunction, which worsened with respect to the previous echocardiogram, with 3D LVEF of 25% and GLS 3.7%
Discussion
We present the case of a woman with MPP, in whom persistent left ventricular dysfunction after 6 months of diagnosis, although cabergoline scheme in addition to optimal medical management for heart failure, with no improvement. In patients who dont present an adequate response to the management, it is necessary to consider enlisting for heart transplantation.
Abstract P626 Figure. TTE, severe ventricular dysfunction
Could it have been better? A patient with peripartum cardiomyopathy treated with conventional therapy
