J Med Cases

Journal of Medical Cases, ISSN 1923-4155 print, 1923-4163 online, Open Access

Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Med Cases and Elmer Press Inc

Journal website https://www.journalmc.org

Case Report

Volume 15, Number 8, August 2024, pages 171-179

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report of Mortality From a Rare and Potentially Fatal Condition

Figures

Figure 1. Chest X-ray. Figure shows enlarged cardiac silhouette, bilateral pulmonary vascular congestion and diffuse interstitial edema consistent with pulmonary congestion (source: patient’s medical chart, 2023).

Figure 2. Transthoracic echocardiogram. Transthoracic echocardiogram shows left ventricular ejection fraction of 23%, right ventricle with moderately depressed systolic function, mild pericardial effusion and indirect signs with intermediate probability of pulmonary hypertension (Source: patient’s medical chart, 2023).

Figure 3. Case timeline. Figure summarizes the case presentation of the patient, exam findings, symptoms, treatments and progression to cardiorespiratory arrest (source: made by authors, 2024). ICU: intensive care unit; IV: intravenous; LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction; PO₂: partial pressure of oxygen; PCO₂: partial pressure of carbon dioxide; HCO₃: bicarbonate; BE: base excess.

Tables

**Table 1.** Vital Signs Record
Date	Time	Blood pressure (mm Hg)	Heart rate (beats/min)	Respiratory rate (breaths/min)	SaO₂ (%)	Temperature (°C)
Source: patient’s medical chart, 2023.
August 22, 2023	12:50	82/60	112	22	99	37.8
	16:19	109/64	120	19	96	36.8
	23:16	86/48	113	34	100	36.4
August 23, 2023	11:10	84/61	119	37	97	37.0
	15:54	80/45	141	41	99	37.0

**Table 2.** Arterial Gases Record
Date	pH	PO₂ (mm Hg)	PCO₂ (mm Hg)	HCO₃ (mmol/L)	BE (mmol/L)	Lactate
Source: patient’s medical chart, 2023. PO₂: partial pressure of oxygen; PCO₂: partial pressure of carbon dioxide; HCO₃: bicarbonate; BE: base excess.
August 22, 2023	7.47	104.0	25.0	18.2	-4.1	2.4
August 23, 2023	7.39	189.9	25.0	15.8	-9	1.1

**Table 3.** Transthoracic Echocardiogram Measurements
Measurement	Patient values	Reference values
Source: patient’s medical chart, 2023.
Aortic root	23	27 - 38 mm
Left atrium	31	27 - 40 mm
Right ventricle	23	21 - 35 mm
Septum in diastole	11	6 - 11 mm
Left ventricle in diastole	53	38 - 58 mm
Posterior wall in diastole	11	6 - 11 mm
Left ventricle in systole	48	21 - 40 mm
Left ventricle ejection fraction	23%	> 50%