ABSTRACT
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an idiopathic, non-ischemic systolic type of heart failure which can present anytime from the last month of pregnancy till the end of 5th month post-partum. The incidence of PPCM in the Indian population is 1:1340 with 60% of the cases occurring post-partum. PPCM has a mortality rate of 11.7% with unpredictable sequelae ranging from worsening heart failure, cardiogenic shock, development of arrythmias to complete recovery and recurrence in subsequent pregnancies. With an idiopathic aetiology with multiple theories, PPCM remains a diagnosis of exclusion, demanding a high index of suspicion and surveillance in pregnant women. The management involves a multidisciplinary approach involving the obstetrician, cardiologist and at times the anaesthesiologist and includes various drugs like beta- blockers, diuretics, digoxin, bromocriptine. In severe cases, maternal circulatory support may also be needed. We present three cases of PPCM diagnosed in the antepartum, intrapartum and immediate post-partum periods respectively. Out of 3 patients, one delivered vaginally and two underwent emergency caesarean sections. All of patients went home post-delivery with good outcomes and were doing well after 4 weeks of delivery.
ABSTRACT
Background: Sublingual Misoprostol 200 ug 4 hrly is as effective or less effective than vaginal Misoprostol 200ug 4hrly with 200mg oral Mifepristone in termination of second trimester pregnancy.To compare effectiveness, side-effects, and patient satisfaction of sublingual vs vaginal misoprostol administration.Methods: It was prospective randomized open label study. 60 women 13-20 weeks of gestation with a valid legal indication for termination of pregnancy as per MTP act in INDIA were enrolled for study, randomly divided into Group A- Sublingual (n=30) group B-Vaginal (n=30). For group A, 200 mg of Mifepristone was given, 48h later Misoprostol 200 µg was given sublingually 4hrly up to a maximum of 5 doses. If abortion does not occur, the pregnancy was terminated with vaginal misoprostol, in group A. Same procedure repeated in group B. If abortion fails to occur after 5 doses, then second course of vaginal misoprostol was given in group B. Failure of procedure was defined as failed expulsion of foetus at 48 hrs. Results: Mean induction-abortion interval in vaginal group was 12.8±4.38h and 11.47±4.42h in sublingual group was comparable with insignificant p value (p=0.136). All the side effects were comparable in both groups. The overall success rate was 93.3% in the sublingual group while it was 100% in the vaginal group.Conclusion: Vaginal misoprostol with oral mifepristone priming in second -trimester medical abortion has a shorter time to pregnancy termination compared with a sublingual regimen. However, both the routes are equally effective for induction of abortion.