• Nicla A Varnier, Sarah Chwah, Trent Miller, Franziska Pettit, Mark Brown, David Rees, and Amanda Henry.
• Department of Women's and Children's Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia.
• Obstet Med. 2015 Sep 1; 8 (3): 149-51.

BackgroundShortness of breath is a common physiological pregnancy presentation, secondary to both hormonal and mechanical effects. Its pathological causes are common (asthma exacerbation or infection); new-onset cardiac pathology is rarely considered.CaseJC, a 39-year old G4P2T1, presented at 34 weeks' gestation with shortness of breath unrelieved by salbutamol. History included asthma, poly-drug abuse and smoking. Initial presentation was consistent with asthma exacerbation and she was treated as such. There was deterioration of symptoms and on re-examination raised jugular venous pressure was noted with bibasal lung crepitations and cardiac systolic murmur. Echocardiogram showed severe cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction 20%). JC was commenced on diuretics, digoxin and fluid restricted. Labour was induced at 35 weeks' gestation, with birth of a healthy female infant (BW 2475 g) by elective assisted vaginal delivery. Cardiac function improved in subsequent weeks, confirming peripartum cardiomyopathy.ConclusionPeripartum cardiomyopathy affects 1 in 2500-4000 live births. Over 90% of women regain normal cardiac function postpartum with optimal medical management. Peripartum cardiomyopathy presents a diagnostic conundrum as its primary symptoms mimic not only those of normal pregnancy but also a number of other, more common conditions. It is important to consider cardiac causes of shortness of breath initially, and vital to revisit an initial non-cardiac shortness of breath diagnosis if there is no sustained improvement with treatment. In this case, asthma history and initial wheeze on examination impeded correct diagnosis; however, the situation was re-evaluated and correct diagnosis made when the patient's shortness of breath deteriorated. Subsequent multidisciplinary management and birth in an appropriate setting facilitated the best outcome for both mother and baby.

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