Familial peripartum cardiomyopathy after molar pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
The potential complications of molar pregnancy are numerous and well defined, but associated peripartum cardiomyopathy has not been reported.


METHODS
A 16-year-old primigravida with a family history of peripartum cardiomyopathy requiring cardiac transplantation underwent suction curettage of a complete mole at 12 weeks' gestation. Three months after evacuation, she developed congestive heart failure. Radionuclide ventriculography demonstrated an ejection fraction of 30%, echocardiography revealed enlargement and ventricular hypokinesis, and a myocardial biopsy specimen contained hypertrophy and fibrosis without necrosis or active inflammation. The patient improved with medical therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a potential complication of molar pregnancy. In spite of the poor prognosis sometimes reported for this disease, good functional outcome may follow.
Massad
L S
LS
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Reiss
C K
CK
Mutch
D G
DG
Haskel
E J
EJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*