Abstract
Introduction :
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), or Meadows syndrome, is a severe cause of heart failure in young women. It can be complicated by thromboembolic events. The objective of this study was to report the management of a case of acute lower limb ischemia complicating peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Case report :
The case involved a 17-year-old primiparous patient, admitted three months postpartum for NYHA class IV dyspnea associated with lower limb edema. Patient history revealed no significant medical antecedents before or during pregnancy. Upon admission, the patient was conscious with a WHO performance status of 2. Echocardiography revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy with a severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and the presence of left intraventricular apical thrombi. Despite the medical treatment being initiated, the clinical course was marked on the third day by the sudden onset of pain in the right lower limb, accompanied by coldness and absent distal pulses. An arterial Doppler ultrasound showed an interruption of blood flow at the popliteal artery, consistent with acute limb ischemia. Thrombolysis with urokinase successfully restored perfusion and resolved the symptoms.
Conclusion :
This case highlights the importance of close monitoring for patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy complicated by intracardiac thrombi, and the urgency of prompt management of any thromboembolic complication in order to preserve functional and vital prognosis.
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Copyright (c) 2026 A Souleymane Ibrahim, H Salia, O Bonkano, R Arab, H Ibro, K Soumana, SR Altine, I Couldiati
