[Case of peripartum cardiomyopathy developed after an emergency cesarean section--a case report].

A 28-year-old woman was admitted because of pregnancy induced hypertension at 35 weeks of gestation with twin babies. The premature labor had been inhibited for 2 weeks with ritodrine (100 microg min(-1) continuous infusion). At 37 weeks of gestation, an emergency cesarean section was carried out under combined spinal epidural anesthesia. After the delivery, oxytocin 5 units was injected to the uterine muscle and methylergometrin 0.2 mg was given intravenously to induce uterine contraction. One hour after the operation, she developed severe pulmonary edema. An echocardiography showed diffuse hypokinesis of the left ventricle with ejection fraction of 23%. She was diagnosed as having peripartum cardiomyopathy by cardiologist. The patient's condition improved in a few days but the abnormal cardiac function continued for two months.