[Postpartum cardiomyopathy attributed to the use of beta-mimetics]

A case of post-partum cardiomyopathy probably due to salbutamol is described. The patient was a young primipara without any cardiovascular disease. She presented a sudden left ventricular failure after Caesarean section for twins: salbutamol had not been given for a week. After 10 days' treatment with diuretics and vasodilators, the patient was cured, no sequellae remaining. It seemed the mechanism was multifactorial: direct myocardial injury, a reduction in the number of receptors, peripheral haemodynamic changes.