Letter to the Editor

An Unrecognized Cause of Acute Abdomen in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Authors: Uzoma N. Ibebuogu, MD, John W. Thornton, MD, FACC, Guy L. Reed, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of heart failure of unknown cause with a reported incidence of 1 in 3,000 to 1 in 4,000 live births.1 Onset is usually between the last month of pregnancy and up to 5 months postpartum in previously healthy women, with a reported fatality rate of 20 to 50%.2 Although viral, autoimmune and idiopathic factors may be contributory, its etiology remains unknown. PPCM usually presents with signs and symptoms of heart failure, and very rarely with thromboembolic complications. We describe a previously healthy postpartum woman who presented to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with multiple abdominal and peripheral thromboemboli because of unrecognized PPCM.

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References

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