Neglected symptoms of heart failure presented as peripartum cardiomyopathy: a case of maternal near-miss

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare obstetric emergency affecting women in late pregnancy or up to five months of postpartum period. It occurs in the absence of an identifiable cause or recognizable heart disease prior to the last month of pregnancy. The aetiology of PPCM is unknown. It has potentially devastating effects on mother and fetus if not treated early. The signs, symptoms and treatment of PPCM are similar to that of heart failure. Early diagnosis and proper management is the corner stone for better outcome of these patients. CASE REPORT: A 41 year old woman in her fourth pregnancy with two vaginal deliveries followed by a first trimester miscarriage presented with cough and exertional dyspnoea for two weeks duration at 31 weeks of gestation. History also revealed features of orthopnoea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Her pregnancy was uncomplicated up to this. On admission, she was dyspnoec with clinical signs of acute heart failure and pulmonary oedema and blood pressure of 170/122 mmHg. Arterial blood gas showed metabolic acidosis and 64% of oxygen saturation. She was transferred to ICUand intubated with continuous positive airway pressure followed by synchronized intermittent mechanical ventilation and multi-disciplinary care. Echocardiography revealed dilated cardiomyopathy with ejection fraction of 20% and improved only upto 35%-40%favouring diagnosis of PPCM over pre-eclampsia. With initial resuscitation, intravenous antibiotics and heart failure therapy hercondition improved. Ultrasonography revealed an intrauterine death.Since she was receiving ICU care with sepsis and also cesarean section does not confer any benefit over vaginal delivery, induction was done with prostaglandin E2followed by misoprostol. She was discharged with a plan of sterilization. DISCUSSION: Third trimester is the most vulnerable period for most of the maternal and foetal lethal events. Proper education regrinding earlier medical advice for uncommon symptoms in late pregnancy may help to reduce the occurrence of these maternal near-misses. Although PPCM has a higher chance of mortality, rational and evidenced-based management can save these mothers. Since it carries a higher risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, sterilization is required.