Journal of Rare Cardiovascular Diseases

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of pregnancy. PPCM is not well understood and relatively little is known about its epidemiology and pathogenesis. However, it appears to have a more favourable prognosis compared with other causes of heart failure (HF) with a significant proportion of patients experiencing recovery of left ventricular (LV) function. As such, the optimal therapeutic strategy in severely affected patients is not clear currently. We report a case of severe PPCM in a 19‑year‑old woman who was managed successfully with implantation of a left ventricular assist device and aggressive pharmacotherapy with the aim of promoting myocardial recovery. She experienced marked improvement in both symptoms and left ventricular function which was sustained following LVAD explantation. JRCD 2013; 1 (5): 17–19

Heart failure, myocardial recovery, peripartum cardiomyopathy, ventricular assist device

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