Mechanical Circulatory Support for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare cause of heart failure that occurs late in pregnancy or during the early postpartum period. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are a form of mechanical circulatory support that are most often implanted for the management of advanced heart failure. We describe a case of PPCM that we managed through implantation of an LVAD with the hope of allowing for myocardial recovery. A 38-year-old female presented 10 days postpartum with chest pain, shortness of breath and hypotension. An echocardiogram revealed a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 25%. The patient received an LVAD. Her hemodynamics and symptoms improved dramatically following implantation, and her postoperative course was uncomplicated. J Med Cases. 2015;6(5):219-220 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2110w