Importance of cardiomyopathy and cerebral ischaemia in the diagnosis of fatal coma in pregnancy

Abstract

A case of cardiomyopathy of pregnancy where death was due to profound cerebral ischaemia is reported. Two other similar cases are mentioned. Awareness of this syndrome may help the pathologist to establish the cause of coma and death in pregnancy when clinical studies have failed to indicate the cause. It is suggested that electrocardiography should be carried out in all cases of apparent cerebrovascular accidents that occur during pregnancy or the puerperium as there may be an underlying cardiomyopathy. The nature and the possible aetiology of cardiomyopathy of pregnancy are briefly discussed.

The demonstration of recent myocardial injury: A simple method suitable for routine use

“…7). The same changes have been previously recorded in similar lesions of cardiomyopathy of pregnancy (Connor and Adams, 1966). SUMMARY A simple staining method employing acid fuchsin is described.…”

“…The five " other " cases that were positive (+ + + or + +) consisted of one sudden death, one patient with cardiomyopathy of pregnancy (Connor and Adams, 1966), one with a healed myocardial infarct, one with left ventricular hypertrophy and one with a subphrenic abscess.…”

Ischemic Stroke during Pregnancy and Puerperium

“…The incidence of ischemic stroke is about 5% [ 23 ]. Additionally, cerebral infarction may result more rarely from cerebral hypoperfusion secondary to cardiac failure [ 49 ]. Prognosis is dependent on recovery of systolic function.…”

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy and Stroke

“…Dyken/Billcr Péripartum Cardiomyopathy and Stroke ing pregnancy have been reported by O'Connor and Adams [48] and Adams ct al. [49], although they do not fit the classic clinical and cardiac pathologic descriptions of PC.…”