Concurrent early-onset peripartum cardiomyopathy in a preeclampsia patient with acute pulmonary edema

Intern Med. 2015;54(8):925-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.2714. Epub 2015 Apr 15.

Abstract

We herein report the case of a preeclampsia patient with comorbid peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCMP). A 22-year-old woman in the 26th week of gestation was admitted with acute pulmonary edema. Hypertension and proteinuria were detected, and echocardiography showed an ejection fraction of 33%. It is remarkable that PPCMP particularly that associated with preeclampsia was observed in the early gestational period. In conclusion, while dyspnea and pretibial edema are often noted during normal pregnancies, the potential for PPCMP should be considered if these symptoms are excessive and/or comorbid paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and orthopnea are present, even in patients with preeclampsia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Cardiomyopathies / epidemiology*
  • Dyspnea
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Peripartum Period
  • Pre-Eclampsia / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third*
  • Pulmonary Edema / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult