[Postpartum cardiomyopathy revealed by acute lower limb ischemia]

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an uncommon disease defined as a dilated cardiomyopathy during puerperium, with left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < 45%) without any other etiology. The etiology of this disease remains uncertain and it can be revealed in a variety of ways. Thrombo-embolic complications may be, although infrequently, the initial manifestation of peripartum cardiomyopathy, which is usually an intracardiac thrombosis. Lower extremity embolism is uncommon. The case reported is about a 39-year-old woman, multiparous, who presented, 40 days after delivery, a global heart failure with atrial fibrillation, revealed by left lower extremity thromboembolism. After echocardiographic and etiologic examinations, the diagnosis was established as peripartum cardiomyopathy. It evolved favourably after 2 months of medical treatment: the symptoms and cardiomegaly decreased, left ventricular systolic function was improved.