Diagnosis and Management of Severe Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Objective: To describe the diagnosis and management of severe peripartum cardiomyopathy. Methods: A case report. Case: A 35-year-old woman presented with dyspnea and leg edema. The patient gave birth 3 months ago. The hemodynamic was unstable and the physical examination showed a mild rhonchi in the basal of the lung and pansystolic murmur in the apex. Echocardiography showed a dilated heart chamber and reduced ejection fraction (30%). The patient was diagnosed as severe PPCM. The initial management was to stabilize the patient using furosemide, catecholamine, and vasopressor administration. After the patient’s condition was stable, ramipril, bisoprolol, and bromocriptine were given as heart failure therapy. Conclusions: Patient with suspicion of PPCM should be managed thoroughly from detailed history taking to proper diagnostic testing such as echocardiography. Prompt treatment of severe PPCM according to the guideline will improve the cardiac function.