title: Ischemia due to peripartum cardiomyopathy threatening loss of a leg.
abstract: Ischemia of the leg in a peripartum female is an uncommon condition. Paradoxical arterial embolisation, and arterial dissection, are rarely encountered but recognized causes of this clinical condition. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare life-threatening cardiac condition that can foster intracardiac thrombosis and produce peripheral vascular complications through embolization. We present here the case of a young, healthy, postpartum female who developed acute ischemia of the left leg, and asymptomatic arterial insufficiency of the right lower leg, as the presenting symptoms of peripartum cardiomyopathy, highlighting the fact that ischemia threatening the loss of a limb can be the initial manifestation of peripartum cardiomyopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Vascular Surgery, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA. paul.gagne@med.nyu.edu
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gagne
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Bart E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Muhs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004617:Embolism / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D049590:Postpartum Period