POSTPARTUM DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID POSITIVE WOMAN

Recurrent fetal loss and pregnancy complications, especially severe ea rly-onset preeclampsia, are frequently associated with anti-phospholip id antibodies. We report a case of postpartum cardiac involvement lead ing to dilated cardiomyopathy in a woman with a persistent positivity for anti-cardiolipin and anti-nuclear antibodies. Her clinical and obs tetric record reported two previous fetal losses but no other signs ch aracteristic of the anti-phospholipid syndrome or diagnostic for a sys temic lupus erythematosus. Post-partum cardiomyopathy might be another cardiac presentation of the anti-phospholipid syndrome, in addition t o the well known valvular involvement. In patients with persistent pos itivities for anti-phospholipid antibodies, a prompt identification of such a complication in the postpartum period should be taken into acc ount by physicians. Adequate cardiologic treatment associated with ant iaggregant and steroid therapy might be useful to prevent further comp lications in these patients.