Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in Active Labour: a Case Report

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of cardiac disease presenting in a gravid women in the last month of pregnancy or in the first five months of delivery. In this case report we describe a young second gravida with full term pregnancy with previous lower segment caesarean section, in active stage of labour that was evaluated and considered for trial of normal labour. As the patient developed sudden onset of hemodynamic instability with foetal distress, she was shifted for emergency LSCS with the provisional diagnosis of Rupture uterus. Surprisingly this patient was eventually diagnosed as PPCM and not rupture uterus. The chest x ray showed marked cardiomegaly and echocardiography following this established the diagnosis of PPCM. Patient was on hemodynamic support with ionotrophes and ventilator support. Patient responded well and was discharged with no morbidity.