A case of peripartum cardiomyopathy with recurrent ventricular fibrillation rescued by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) often develops in the early postpartum period, especially within one month after delivery. However, in recent years, some cases of pregnancy-related cardiomyopathy with earlier or slightly later onset showed similar features with PPCM entirely. One patient with PPCM was admitted to the Department of Intensive Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College on February 2022. After admission, the patient was exceptionally hemodynamically unstable and had repeated ventricular fibrillation. Apart from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, comprehensive treatment with cardiotonic agents and drugs to inhibit the "ventricular electric storm" was given. The cardiac structure and function were gradually improved. ECMO was successfully withdrawn on the 7th day after the onset of symptoms, and the patient was discharged after a full recovery. Early diagnosis and active intervention are the keys to improve the prognosis of patients with PPCM and avoid irreversible changes in cardiac structure.