Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Treatment with Dopamine Agonist and Subsequent Pregnancy with a Satisfactory Outcome / Tratamento da miocardiopatia periparto com agonista dopaminérgico e subsequente gestação com resultado satisfatório

Abstract Pathophysiological mechanisms of peripartum cardiomyopathy are not yet completely defined, although there is a strong association with various factors that are already known, including pre-eclampsia. Peripartum cardiomyopathy treatment follows the same recommendations as heart failure with systolic dysfunction. Clinical and experimental studies suggest that products of prolactin degradation can induce this cardiomyopathy. The pharmacological suppression of prolactin production by D2 dopamine receptor agonists bromocriptine and cabergoline has demonstrated satisfactory results in the therapeutic response to the treatment. Here we present a case of an adolescent patient in her first gestation with peripartum cardiomyopathy that evolved to the normalized left ventricular function after cabergoline administration, which was used as an adjuvant in cardiac dysfunction treatment. Subsequently, despite a short interval between pregnancies, the patient exhibited satisfactory progress throughout the entire gestation or puerperium in a new pregnancy without any cardiac alterations. Dopamine agonists that are orally used and are affordable in most tertiary centers, particularly in developing countries, should be considered when treating peripartum cardiomyopathy cases.

Resumo Os mecanismos fisiopatológicos da miocardiopatia periparto ainda não são totalmente definidos, apesar de haver forte associação com vários fatores já conhecidos, incluindo a pré-eclâmpsia. O tratamento segue as mesmas recomendações para a insuficiência cardíaca com disfunção sistólica. Estudos clínicos e experimentais recentes sugerem que os produtos de degradação da prolactina podem induzir a miocardiopatia. A supressão farmacológica da produção de prolactina por agonista do receptor D2 da dopamina, bromocriptina ou cabergolina, vem demonstrando resultados satisfatórios na resposta terapêutica do tratamento. Apresentamos o relato de uma primigesta, adolescente, com miocardiopatia periparto que evoluiu para a normalização da função ventricular esquerda após a administração da cabergolina, utilizada como adjuvante na terapêutica da disfunção cardíaca. Subsequentemente, apesar do intervalo entre as gestações ser considerado curto, apresentou evolução satisfatória em uma nova gestação sem qualquer alteração cardíaca durante todo o período gestacional ou puerpério. Os agonistas dopaminérgicos, drogas de uso oral e de preço acessível para a maioria dos centros terciários, em particular em países subdesenvolvidos, não podem ser esquecidos frente a casos de miocardiopatia periparto.

Miocardiopatia de Takotsubo pós-parto: relato de caso / Postpartum Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: case report

Ocorrendo habitualmente após um stress físico ou emocional intenso, a miocardiopatia de Takotsubo caracteriza-se por disfunção aguda e transitória do segmento apical do ventrículo esquerdo, mimetizando uma síndrome coronária aguda. Essa é uma síndrome rara, na qual o diagnóstico diferencial assume particular importância. Um elevado nível de suspeição é essencial, pelo que obstetras e o restante da equipe devem estar preparados para diagnosticar e lidar com esse evento inesperado. O tratamento é fundamentalmente de suporte, verificando-se reversão espontânea e completa das alterações num intervalo de dias a semanas. A ocorrência de complicações podem ditar um prognóstico menos benigno. Apresentamos o caso de uma mulher de 39 anos, sem antecedentes relevantes. Submetida à cesariana por suspeita de sofrimento fetal. Terminada a intervenção iniciou quadro de bradicardia e precordialgia, com edema pulmonar. Apresentava alterações de enzimas cardíacas e do electrocardiograma. O ecocardiograma revelou disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo com hipocinésia de toda a parede anterior. O cateterismo cardíaco excluiu doença coronária obstrutiva.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by acute and transient dysfunction of the apical segment of the left ventricle usually after an intense physical or emotional stress, mimicking an acute coronary syndrome. Because this is a rare syndrome, the differential diagnosis is particularly important and a high level of suspicion is essential. Obstetricians should be aware to diagnose and deal with this unexpected event. Treatment is essentially supportive, with spontaneous and complete reversal of the changes within days or weeks. The occurrence of complications may dictate a less benign prognosis. We report a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a 39-year-old woman who underwent Cesarean delivery. She presented with bradycardia, chest pain and pulmonary edema immediately after the delivery. Her echocardiography showed and apical ballooning. Cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiogram were altered and echocardiogram showed severe left ventricular dysfunction with hypokinesia of the anterior wall. Coronary angiography excluded obstructive coronary artery disease.

Facility-based care for delivery and management of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth in Mexico

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and management of severe maternal and newborn complications in selected health facilities in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn health, information was collected from medical records of women with deliveries and/or severe maternal complications during pregnancy or puerperium in 14 hospitals in Mexico City and the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. RESULTS: Of 13 311 women, 157 (12 per 1 000 live births) had severe maternal complications including 4 maternal deaths. The most frequent complications were preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and chronic hypertension. Adverse perinatal outcomes were more frequent among women with severe maternal complications. A high use of uterotonics and parenteral antibiotics was found. A small proportion of women with eclampsia received magnesium sulfate. CONCLUSION: This study provides indicators on the incidence and management of maternal and neonatal complications in Mexico, which may be useful in studying and evaluating the performance of obstetric services.

OBJETIVO: Describir la incidencia y manejo de complicaciones maternas y neonatales severas en hospitales seleccionados de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: En el marco de la Encuesta Multipaís de la OMS sobre Salud Materna y Neonatal, se recolectó información de los expedientes médicos de las mujeres que tuvieron su parto o experimentaron complicaciones maternas severas durante el embarazo o puerperio en 14 hospitales de la Ciudad de México y el estado de Guanajuato, México. RESULTADOS: De 13 311 mujeres, 157 (12/1 000 nacidos vivos) tuvieron complicaciones maternas severas, incluyendo 4 muertes maternas. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron preeclampsia, hemorragia postparto e hipertensión crónica. Los resultados perinatales adversos fueron más frecuentes en las mujeres con complicaciones severas. Hubo un uso amplio de uterotónicos y antibióticos parenterales. Una baja proporción de mujeres con eclampsia recibió sulfato de magnesio. CONCLUSIONES: Esta encuesta proporciona indicadores sobre la incidencia y manejo de las complicaciones maternas y neonatales en México, los cuales pueden ser de utilidad para estudiar y evaluar el desempeño de los servicios obstétricos.

Puerperal cerebral venous thrombosis: therapeutic benefit of low dose heparin.

Advances in imageology have improved the diagnostic yield of cerebral venous/sinus thrombosis (CVT). However, its management remains a challenge. The present study was carried out to study the role of heparin in CVT. Therapeutic outcome of 150 patients of puerperal CVT manifesting within one month of delivery or abortion, was analyzed. The diagnosis was supported by cranial computed tomography and/or angiography whenever required. Seventy three patients, 46 with non-haemorrhagic infarction and 27 with haemorrhagic infarction, received 2500 units of subcutaneous heparin, three times a day within 24 hours of hospitalization till 30th post partum day or symptomatic relief. Seventy seven patients during the same period, 50 with non-haemorrhagic infarction and 27 with haemorrhagic infarction, who did not receive heparin formed the control group. Repeat CT scans were done when indicated. Among the heparin group, 34 patients made full recovery. There were eight deaths, all among the patients with haemorrhagic lesion. In control group, only 14 patients recovered completely (P=<0.001) and 18 died (P=<0.001). There were no adverse effects of heparin. Low dose heparin is safe and efficacious in puerperal CVT, even in patients with haemorrhagic infarction.

Heparin in haemorrhagic infarction in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Morbidity and mortality in puerperal cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) can be reduced by arresting the progression of thrombosis using heparin. However, conventional dose of heparin requires monitoring of coagulation parameters and carries a risk of haemorrhage. The present study involved 56 patients of puerperal CVT with CT evidence of haemorrhagic infarction. Twenty nine of these patients received low dose heparin till 30th post-partum day or symptomatic relief. Their clinical features and severity were similar to 27 patients who did not receive heparin. The mortality and morbidity at discharge was significantly less (P < 0.001) in heparin treated group. There were no haemorrhagic complications. Low dose heparin is safe and effective in cerebral venous thrombosis, even with haemorrhagic infarction.

Cardiomiopatia periparto. Análise crítica da imunossupressäo / Peripartum cardiomyopathy. A critical analysis of immunosupression

É feita uma revisäo da literatura a respeito da cardiomiopatia periparto, descrevendo o acaso de paciente do sexo feminino, branca, 31 anos, primípira, que apresentou quadro de falência miocárdica 6h pós-cesária, com boa resposta após tratamento imunossupressor.

Psoriasis pustulosa durante el embarazo / Psoriasis pustulosa during pregnancy

Se presenta un caso de psoriasis pustulosa en una embarazada