Incidence, Risk Factors, Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in Oman.

Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an idiopathic life-threatening condition occurring towards the end of pregnancy or in the first few months following delivery that might affect the maternal and neonatal outcomes. Objectives: To assess the incidence and to evaluate the antenatal risk factors and the maternal and neonatal outcomes in Omani women diagnosed with PPCM. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at two tertiary institutions in Oman between the 1st of January 2010 to the 31st of December 2018. All cases fitting the standard definition of PPCM were included in the analysis. Patients with pre-existing dilated cardiomyopathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and significant valvular heart disease have been excluded. Results: A total of 113,104 deliveries were screened during the study period. PPCM was confirmed in 116 cases with an incidence of 1.02 per 1000 deliveries. Independent predictors for the development of PPCM were age; especially women at the mid reproductive age (26-35 years), singleton pregnancy and gestational hypertension. In general, maternal outcomes were favorable, with full recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction in 56.0%, recurrence of 9.2%, and an overall mortality rate of 3.4%. The most common maternal complication was pulmonary edema (16.3%). The neonatal mortality rate was 4.3% and the preterm birth rate was 35.7%. Neonatal outcomes included 94.3% live births, out of which 64.3% were term with Apgar scores of more than 7 at five minutes in 91.5% of the neonates. Conclusion: Our study resulted in an overall incidence of PCCM in Oman of 1.02 in 1000 deliveries. Given the significance of maternal and neonatal complications, establishing a national PPCM database and local practice guidelines, and emphasizing their implementations in all regional hospitals, are fundamental for early recognition of the disease, timely referral, and application of therapy. Future studies, with a clearly defined control group, are highly recommended to appraise the significance of antenatal comorbidities in PPCM compared to non-PPCM cases.

Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis manifesting as acute appendicitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum ovarian thrombosis is an uncommon condition. It appears with the nonspecific, predominantly right-sided abdominal symptoms and must be differentiated from other acute visceral conditions. If left untreated, postpartum ovarian thrombosis can have severe consequences, including sepsis, pulmonary embolism, and even death. Momentarily, there are no specific guidelines for postpartum ovarian thrombosis management. We present a case of postpartum ovarian thrombosis admitted to our hospital with symptoms of acute appendicitis. CASE PRESENTATION : A 39-year-old Omani obese multiparous woman of Afro-Arab origin was admitted with acute symptoms, mainly abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting 1 week postpartum. Clinical picture and biochemical profile did not exhibit a recognizable pattern. Ultrasonography excluded retained products of conception. Computerized scan for abdomen and pelvis with oral and intravenous contrast reported a dilated tubular structure in the right adnexa extending up to the right renal hilum level with surrounding inflammation. Those findings were consistent with the thrombophlebitis of the right ovarian vein. Blood cultures and sensitivity showed group A ß-hemolytic streptococci sensitive to penicillin G and clindamycin. The patient was treated successfully with antibiotics and therapeutic anticoagulants and discharged home 3 days later; follow-up was arranged. CONCLUSION: This pathology is an exceptional entity in Oman. Therefore, awareness of this unique condition is required so that clinicians will be vigilant, exploring similar cases with imaging and avoiding unnecessary surgical interventions.

A double dilemma: treatment of stage IV fetal twin-twin transfusion syndrome in the setting of maternal recurrent venous thromoembolism: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Fetal conditions can pose significant challenges in the management of pregnancies complicated by pre-existing maternal medical conditions. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 34-year-old woman with Stage IV Twin Twin Transfusion syndrome in the presence of maternal recurrent complex venous thromboembolic disease. Following a previous pregnancy loss, complicated by a third episode of thromboembolic disease, an inferior vena cava filter was placed. One month later, a pregnancy was confirmed and subsequently identified as a monochorionic twin pregnancy. Twin-Twin Transfusion syndrome was identified at 18 weeks' gestation and progressed rapidly to Quintero Stage IV. In consultation with a multi-disciplinary international team, fetoscopic laser photocoagulation was performed. The pregnancy progressed to delivery of female infants at 33 weeks gestation, who have achieved all developmental milestones at 2 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the multi-disciplinary effort to optimise the maternal condition to allow fetoscopic laser photocoagulation and continued management of the maternal and fetal conditions to a successful pregnancy outcome.