Outcomes of severe peripartum cardiomyopathy and mechanical circulatory support: a case series

Abstract

Abstract Background We present three cases of severe peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) that required mechanical circulatory supports. Case presentation Case 1: A 33-year-old woman developed acute heart failure (AHF) after normal spontaneous delivery. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was inserted on postpartum day (PD) 10 with a peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), which was withdrawn on PD 30 after medical treatment including anti-prolactin drugs. Case 2: A 44-year-old woman developed AHF 1 month after vaginal delivery. IABP or extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was not effective and a biventricular assist device was inserted. It was withdrawn on PD 85 after improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Case3: A 37-year-old woman was transferred with a diagnosis of PPCM. Cardiac function unimproved by IABP or ECMO, and a left ventricular assist device was implanted. It was withdrawn on PD 386 after recovery of LVEF. Conclusion All the cases with PPCM recovered after mechanical circulatory supports and resumed social lives.

Keywords

• Cardiomyopathy
• Heart failure
• Pregnancy
• Mechanical circulatory support
• Bridge to transplantation
• Bridge to recovery