Postpartum dilated cardiomyopathy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, nephritis and lupus anticoagulant: a diagnostic dilemma
Year: 2011
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: A 32-year-old Caucasian woman presented with shortness of breath four weeks postpartum. She was known to suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus with cutaneous, joint and minor renal involvement. During pregnancy, the patient had developed nephrotic syndrome for which she was managed with prophylactic anticoagulation and corticosteroid therapy. A leg deep vein thrombosis had arisen following caesarean section following antepartum haemorrhage. Examination revealed a heart murmur, and pulmonary signs. Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram showed cardiomegaly and bilateral pleural effusions but no pulmonary embolus. Echocardiogram demonstrated dilated cardiomyopathy. An initial diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy was considered, with lupus myocarditis and coronary in situ thrombosis among the differential diagnoses.
Source: Obstetric Medicine
Authors: Daniel Hall, David New, Teresa Kelly
Institutions: University of Manchester, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2030259113