Abstract
Background: The potential complications of molar pregnancy are numerous and welI defined, but associated peripartum cardiomyopathy has not been reported. Case: A 16-year-old primigravida with a family history of peripartum cardiomyopathy requiring cardiac transplantation underwent suction curettage of a complete mole at 12 weeks’ gestation. Three months after evacuation, she developed congestive heart failure. Radionuclide ventriculography demonstrated an ejection fraction of 30%, echocardiography revealed enlargement and ventricular hypokinesis, and a myocardial biopsy specimen contained hypertrophy and fibrosis without necrosis or active inflammation. The patient improved with medical therapy. Conclusion: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a potential complication of molar pregnancy. In spite of the poor prognosis sometimes reported for this disease, good functional outcome may follow.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 886-888 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Obstetrics and gynecology |
| Volume | 81 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| State | Published - May 1993 |