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Ischemia due to peripartum cardiomyopathy threatening loss of a leg

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 April 2005

Paul J. Gagne ,
John B. Newman  and
Bart E. Muhs
Paul J. Gagne
Affiliation:
Departments of General Surgery and Vascular Surgery, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia USA Division of Vascular Surgery, New York University Medical Center, New York, USA
John B. Newman
Affiliation:
Departments of General Surgery and Vascular Surgery, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia USA
Bart E. Muhs
Affiliation:
Division of Vascular Surgery, New York University Medical Center, New York, USA
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Abstract

Ischemia of the leg in a peripartum female is an uncommon condition. Paradoxical arterial embolisation, and arterial dissection, are rarely encountered but recognized causes of this clinical condition. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare life-threatening cardiac condition that can foster intracardiac thrombosis and produce peripheral vascular complications through embolization. We present here the case of a young, healthy, postpartum female who developed acute ischemia of the left leg, and asymptomatic arterial insufficiency of the right lower leg, as the presenting symptoms of peripartum cardiomyopathy, highlighting the fact that ischemia threatening the loss of a limb can be the initial manifestation of peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Keywords

Embolismarterial ischemiathrombus
Type
Brief Report
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , April 2003 , pp. 209 - 211
Copyright
© 2003 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

The opinions or assertions expressed herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the view of the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense, or the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Financial support was not provided to the authors from any source other than the U.S. Navy.

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