Complete myocardial function recovery with ECMO in a woman presenting with cardiogenic shock during peripartum period

Abstract

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a potentially life-threatening cause of heart failure (HF) that affects women toward the end of pregnancy or in months after delivery. Treatment is similar to the treatment for HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF). Most women make full myocardial function recovery within 6 months on conventional HF therapy. In rare instances, catastrophic presentations may occur with hemodynamic instability requiring the use of mechanical support. Because of the small patient population, limited information is available regarding the recovery of myocardial function in women who received mechanical support. We present a case of a woman in her peripartum period who presented with cardiogenic shock and made complete myocardial function recovery after 4 days of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Our patient’s EF at the time of catastrophe was 5–10%, which improved to 60% on day 4 on ECMO.