Sheehan's syndrome with reversible dilated cardiomyopathy: a case report and brief overview

ABSTRACT

Sheehan's syndrome is a rare condition characterized by post-partal panhypopituitarism due to necrosis of adenohypophysis resulting from severe post-partum hemorrhage. Lethargy, amenorrhea and failure of lactation are the usual presenting features. Cardiac involvement in Sheehan's syndrome is rare. The case presented here describes dilated cardiomyopathy in a 36-year-old lady who failed to respond adequately to the standard anti-failure treatment. Further investigation revealed the diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome. Besides other manifestations, cardiac function reverted to normal after giving replacement therapy with glucocorticoid, levothyroxine and sex hormone. Physicians, specially those in developing countries, should have high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome while dealing with a case of 'peripartal dilated cardiomyopathy'. Persistent amenorrhea and failure of lactation may be important clues in this context. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lessen the sufferings of the patients