Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in pregnancy

João Paulo Cândido Barbosa^1*, Maria Regina Melo da Justa Feijão¹, Francisco Herlanio Costa Carvalho², Carlos Augusto Alencar Jr.², Francisco Edson de Lucena Feitosa²

¹Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil.
²Department of Obstetrics, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil.

DOI: 10.4236/ojog.2013.35080                

Abstract

The aim of this study was to highlight the importance of knowledge of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) in pregnancy and its complications, with the order to establish early diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a primigravida aged 17, previously healthy, 18 weeks of gestation with dyspnea at rest, which started 2 weeks ago. During the investigation, the echocardiogram (ECO) showed left ventricle (LV) dilation with impaired systolic and diastolic function, LV ejection fraction of 20%. We did not identify a cause for the patient’s clinical condition, being diagnosed with IDC. The patient remained in obstetrics and cardiology monitoring for up to 23 weeks of gestation, when it was decided by the interruption of pregnancy by caesarean section due to hemodynamic instability. The newborn came to death four days after the procedure. The patient evolved to clinical improvement, 16 days after the resolution of gestation, was discharged for outpatient monitoring.

Keywords

Cardiomyopathy; Pregnancy; Dyspnea at Rest; Caesarean Section

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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