Peripartum cardiomyopathy with cardiogenic shock: recovery after prolactin inhibition and mechanical support.

After the delivery of her second child, peripartum cardiomyopathy developed in the 33-year-old mother, which was complicated by cardiogenic shock refractory to medical treatment. A left ventricular assist device was implanted, and bromocriptine therapy was given to facilitate myocardial recovery. Serial echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and exercise tests under full and partial left ventricular assist device support showed improvement of left ventricular function, such that the left ventricular assist device could be explanted 5 months after implantation. Fourteen months after explantation, the left ventricular function remained stable, and the young mother is asymptomatic and lives a normal life.