Title |
An unusual case of peripartum cardiomyopathy manifesting with multiple thrombo-embolic phenomena
|
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Published in |
Thrombosis Journal, October 2007
|
DOI | 10.1186/1477-9560-5-18 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Uzoma N Ibebuogu, John W Thornton, Guy L Reed |
Abstract |
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of heart failure with a reported incidence of 1 per 3000 to 1 per 4000 live births and a fatality rate of 20%-50%. Onset is usually between the last month of pregnancy and up to 5 months postpartum in previously healthy women. Although viral, autoimmune and idiopathic factors may be contributory, its etiology remains unknown. PPCM initially presents with signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure and rarely with thrombo-embolic complications. We report an unusual case of PPCM in a previously healthy postpartum woman who presented with an acute abdomen due to unrecognized thromboemboli of the abdominal organs. This case illustrates that abdominal pain in PPCM may not always result from hepatic congestion as previously reported, but may occur as a result of thromboemboli to abdominal organs. Further research is needed to determine the true incidence of thromboemboli in PPCM. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 1 | 4% |
Unknown | 23 | 96% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 3 | 13% |
Student > Bachelor | 3 | 13% |
Other | 2 | 8% |
Lecturer | 2 | 8% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 2 | 8% |
Other | 4 | 17% |
Unknown | 8 | 33% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 9 | 38% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 5 | 21% |
Neuroscience | 1 | 4% |
Unspecified | 1 | 4% |
Unknown | 8 | 33% |