title: Massive respiratory dysfunction as sign of fulminant peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Case report of a 35-year-old gravida 3, para 2, at 40 + 6 weeks with massive respiratory dysfunction with need of oxygenation, requiring cesarean section.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postpartum investigations revealed pathological cardiomegaly with left ventricular failure (NYHAIV). Cardiac biopsy diagnosed postpartum dilatative cardiomyopathy. Despite medication with bromocriptine and levosimendan, cardiac function continued to decrease, requiring surgical intervention and implantation of an intracorporal, left ventricular assist device. Following surgery, cardiac function progressively improved and stabilized.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare, pregnancy-induced disease and requires an interdisciplinary approach for diagnostics and therapeutical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany. nfreerksen@ukaachen.de
authors.forename: Nele
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Freerksen
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaekel
authors.forename: Ares Krishna
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: Nicolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maass
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bauerschlag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058725:Peripartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*