OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in the internal medicine department of the Zinder National Hospital (ZNH).
METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out from 2018 to 2022 at the ZNH Department of Internal Medicine. Included were all patients admitted for PPCM who met National Heart Blood and Lung Institute criteria. The data collected was analyzed using Excel and EPI INFO v7.
RESULTS: We had collected 100 cases of PPCM out of a total of 8706 hospitalized patients, i.e. a hospital prevalence of 1.14%. The mean age of the patients was 27.9 years ± 7.4 [17-45]. The majority of patients were from underprivileged social strata (n=64). The risk factors for PMPC found were essentially hot bath (n=66), home birth (n=40), natron porridge (n=35) and multiparity (n=57). Cardiac symptomatology appeared postpartum in 56% of patients. Dyspnea was the main symptom in 98% of cases. The physical signs were dominated by the functional systolic murmur (66%). Three quarters (75%) of the patients had congestive heart failure. Electrocardiographic signs were dominated by left ventricular hypertrophy (n=65). Cardiomegaly was present in 94% of patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction was altered in all patients. Impaired renal function was found in 31% of patients. Management was based on a low-sodium diet tripod, diuretics and converting enzyme inhibitors. Two cases of death were recorded.
CONCLUSIONS: PPCM is common in the Zinder region. It affects young women with several risk factors and is revealed by signs of congestive heart failure. For a better understanding of this still poorly elucidated condition, it is necessary to pursue research efforts.

Intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring abnormalities had been reported to correlate with decreased umbilical artery base excess associated with neonatal seizures. However, we present an infant born at 35 weeks of gestation diagnosed with cerebral palsy associated with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) without fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring abnormalities, According to the summary reports of PVL cases published on the home page of the Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral Palsy (JOCSC)), the percentage of placenta previa without FHR monitoring abnormalities in the cases of PVL was 5.7% (12/209), which seemed to be higher than the total percentage of placenta previa reported in Japan (0.3-0.5%).

BACKGROUND: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) occurring in the context of hypertension presents a unique clinical challenge. This case contributes to the medical literature by highlighting the complexities of managing heart failure in postpartum women with pre-existing hypertensive disorders, particularly when complicated by a history of preeclampsia.
METHODS: Mrs. O.O., a 34-year-old hypertensive woman, presented with progressive dyspnea, bilateral leg swelling, and orthopnea. Notably, she had a history of previous preeclampsia and exhibited worsening symptoms over several months.
METHODS: The patient was diagnosed with decompensated heart failure secondary to PPCM, exacerbated by hypertension and anemia.
METHODS: Therapeutic interventions included diuretics, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, digoxin, and anticoagulation. Additionally, lifestyle modifications and dietary restrictions were implemented.
RESULTS: Following treatment adjustments, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in symptoms, exercise tolerance, and cardiac function. The transition from NYHA class III to class II heart failure indicated successful management.
CONCLUSIONS: This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to managing PPCM in hypertensive patients, with attention to cardiovascular and obstetric factors. It highlights the effectiveness of multidisciplinary care in achieving positive outcomes and emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance in postpartum women with cardiovascular risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a potentially life-threatening pregnancy-related condition characterized by left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, typically occurring in the peripartum period. Individuals with a history of preeclampsia and hypertension are particularly prone to developing PPCM. Recent research suggests that the condition may be triggered by vascular dysfunction influenced by maternal hormones in the late stages of gestation. The onset of left heart failure results in decreased cardiac output, leading to insufficient perfusion, which in turn, contributes to pulmonary edema and exacerbates tissue hypoxia. This cardiovascular response activates the neurohumoral system, causing peripheral vasoconstriction and elevating both mean capillary filling pressure (MCFP) and central venous pressure (CVP). Early administration of furosemide reduces volume overload due to negative cumulative fluid balance gaining and vasodilation, which increases the velocity of intravascular refilling and causes interstitial edema to resolve. This will decrease interstitial fluid pressure, resulting in decreased mechanical compression to systemic capillary and systemic vein pressure, thus decreasing MCFP and CVP subsequently. Reduced CVP also contributes to increased venous return by decreasing the gradient pressure between MCFP and CVP, resulting in increased cardiac output (CO) and improved tissue oxygenation.
METHODS: A 33-year-old Asian woman, para 3 at full term pregnancy, admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after c-section and tubectomy due to shortness of breath and palpitation. Based on history taking, physical examination and echocardiography the patient fulfilled the criteria of PPCM which was also complicated by pulmonary edema. Despite impending respiratory failure, the patient rejected intubation and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and was given oxygen supplementation through nasal cannula. Furosemide was given rapidly continued by maintenance dose and CVP was monitored. Antihypertensive drug, anticoagulants, and bromocriptine were also administered. After achieving negative cumulative fluid balance the patient\'s symptoms resolved and was discharged one week later.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a correlation between negative cumulative fluid balance and reduced central venous pressure after early furosemide therapy. Suspicion for PPCM should not be lowered in the presence of preeclampsia, it could delay appropriate treatment and increase the mortality.

暂无摘要。

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare life-threatening condition occurring in previously healthy women with symptoms mimicking those of normal pregnancy and is associated with a high mortality rate. A high index of suspicion coupled with a sound understanding of the disease is crucial to correctly diagnose and manage the patients to improve final maternal outcomes. In this report, we present a total of five cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy in women aged 22 to 38 years who presented between 3 and 21 days postpartum. All patients presented with severely reduced ejection fractions indicative of heart failure and were immediately admitted to our facility. A timely diagnosis was made and patients started on a combination of antibiotics, anticoagulants, and anti-heart failure medication. Despite the severity of the disease upon presentation, early diagnosis and precise management of the disease were essential in achieving favorable patient outcomes. Therefore, this report provides crucial knowledge about the presentation and progression of peripartum cardiomyopathy and presents a treatment protocol from a Kenyan perspective that was successfully employed in the management of all five cases.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare malignant sarcoma with only a few cases reported in the sinus and head and neck region. It shows strong female predominance. Hormone-dependent recurrence was never reported.
METHODS: A 35 year-old woman presented nasal cavity ASPS during her first pregnancy, middle-ear ASPS during the second, and a third ASPS in the sinus outside of any peripartum period, with unfavorable progression and metastasis, terminating in death.
CONCLUSIONS: Pathology analysis of the tumors showed positive immunolabeling for progesterone receptors in the two peripartum episodes. This was thus the first report of peripartum recurrence of ASPS with strong progesterone sensitivity, reinforcing the suspected biological link between ASPS and progesterone. This case report may be a preliminary finding suggesting progesterone blockers as a novel treatment for recurrent ASPS.

One of the most perilous complications in obstetrics, often leading to severe bleeding and sometimes a need for urgent hysterectomy, is placenta accreta spectrum, which significantly increases the risk of peri-partum complications, even including the risk of death for the mother and the child. Dealing with excessive bleeding in this situation is paramount. We have found a Foley catheter tourniquet to be useful as a temporary tourniquet to control placental and uterine hemorrhage. We have used this method and find it very useful. In this publication, we describe the last two cases of the use of the Foley catheter as a tourniquet for peri-partum hemorrhage prevention, and we will present a review of the literature in this field.

Available data identify pregnancy as a strong determinant of a severe course of COVID-19 with increased mortality. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains the last resort treatment in the critical course of COVID-19 yet may increase the risk of excessive bleeding, especially in the immediate post-cesarean section period. One in five patients receiving ECMO during the COVID-19 pandemic were women who were pregnant or postpartum. While the risk of critical respiratory failure in the peripartum period is high, in an early survey only 52% of pregnant patients intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Our study aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics and treatment modalities in a series of five pregnant and peripartum women supported with ECMO and anticoagulated with anti-Xa-guided nadroparin therapy in our center. We reviewed the full treatment courses; inflammatory, hemodynamic, and coagulation variables; and maternal and neonatal outcomes. We identified adverse events during the therapy.
All five patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19 in the third trimester of pregnancy. Termination of pregnancy occurred between 28 and 36 gestational weeks. While four of five newborns survived to hospital discharge, only two of the five mothers survived to leave hospital.
ECMO is feasible in the third trimester but not devoid of complications. The severity of respiratory failure during COVID-19 and extracorporeal support may not adversely impact neonatal outcomes.

A 37-year-old female patient was admitted 16 days after delivery in a hospital for infectious diseases with cough, shortness of breath, and infiltrative changes in the lungs that were interpreted as viral pneumonia. Considering the failure of therapy and the history, peripartum cardiomyopathy was suspected. Examination revealed a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction to 30 %, ultrasonic signs of lung congestion and bilateral hydrothorax. The patient was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy accompanied by functional class 4 heart failure. A specific feature of this case was fast positive dynamics with complete regression of the clinical picture of congestion and improvement of the left ventricular myocardial function associated with the treatment.