Ischemic stroke due to postpartum angiopathy complicated by pulmonary embolism with favorable outcome.
Postpartum cerebral angiopathy is a relatively rare condition. It can cause either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or both, and usually occurs within the first week following non-complicated pregnancy and natural delivery. Although its pathophysiology is unclear, the cause of the condition is believed to be prolonged reversible vasospasm. We present an unusual case of a 37-year-old woman who developed right hemiparesis with aphasia on day 8 of natural delivery complicated by pulmonary embolism. Steroids, heparin, and calcium channel blockers were successfully instituted and the patient was discharged from the hospital on day 50. The article presents clinical and imaging characteristics, differential diagnosis, management, and considers the difficulties that occurred during the patient's hospital stay.
Department of Neurology, Piła Specialist Hospital, Pila, Poland. mpwisz@gmail.com
Małgorzata
M
Wiszniewska
Amelia
A
Bytowska
D000328:Adult; D001037:Aphasia / Q000150:complications; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome