Cardiomyopathy of pregnancy at 22 weeks' gestation: A case report

We describe a 30-year-old patient (gravida 4, para 1) who presented at 22 w eeks' gestation with signs of acute heart failure due to cardiomyopathy of pregnancy. Other causes of dilatative cardiomyopathy were ruled out. Cardia c function did not improve with medical therapy and in the 25th gestational week the decision was made to terminate the pregnancy. Symptoms improved m arkedly after termination. Echocardiographic follow-up before discharge fro m hospital showed persistent left ventricular dysfunction and at 6 months c ardiac catheterization showed no improvement of left ventricular function. Endomyocardial biopsy showed features of dilatative cardiomyopathy without signs of myocarditis.