Navigating Cardiovascular Risks: Peripartum Cardiomyopathy and Stroke

Background: Postpartum cardiomyopathy, also known as peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), is a rare cause of stoke in young women. PPCM is defined as new-onset heart failure without an apparent cause between the last month of pregnancy and the fifth month post-partum. Risk factors include multiple parity, advanced maternal age, multiple gestation, preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, smoking, alcoholism, malnutrition, and long standing endometriosis. Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 34-year- old woman, who was admitted to the hospital three months after the birth of her second child with dyspnea that rapidly progressed to cardiac asthma. One week later, was admitted to the Neurology Department with acute left hemiparesis and speech impairment. Results: The MRI revealed a wedged-shaped hypodensity affecting the gray and white matter of the right anterior temporal and parietal lobes, a feature suggestive of hemodynamically right- sided acute ischemic stroke. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of a collaborative multidisciplinary team clinical approach to further evaluate and appropriately treat patients with PPCM secondary to stroke.