Peripartum cardiomyopathy in a woman with preeclampsia with twin pregnancy.

A 27-year-old nulliparous Japanese woman with twin pregnancy developed preeclampsia at gestational week (GW) 26. Cardiac function was checked regularly as women carrying twins with preeclampsia are expected to have increased risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Although conventional parameters including blood pressure, proteinuria, platelet count and liver function did not indicate early delivery, gradual worsening of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to 44% and plasma brain-type natriuretic peptide level of 254 pg/mL suggested impending PPCM and a need for early delivery at GW 32. A nadir LVEF value of 35% on postpartum day (PPD) 3 followed by a value of 49% on PPD 32 was seen in this patient with PPCM. This case highlights the risk of PPCM among women with preeclampsia carrying twins and the role of pregnancy termination in the clinical course of PPCM. 2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.