{"id":4400,"date":"2025-04-29T14:15:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T12:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cvja.co.za\/journal\/?p=4400"},"modified":"2026-03-13T14:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T12:05:09","slug":"cvja-2024-008","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cvja.co.za\/journal\/cvja-2024-008\/","title":{"rendered":"High intracardiac clot burden in a young mother with peripartum cardiomyopathy in Uganda"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\r\n \r\n Juliet Nabbaale, Emmy Okello, Karen Sliwa, Annette Nakimuli\r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n<\/div> \r\n
\r\n Copyright:<\/strong> Clinics Cardive Publishing (Pty) Ltd. publisher\r\n of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div> \r\n
\r\n
\r\n Abstract \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an idiopathic cardiomyopathy presenting with a reduction in left ventricular systolic function towards the end of pregnancy or in the months after delivery. It is a life-threatening condition with a substantial mortality rate ranging from six to 25%, commonly due to heart failure or sudden cardiac death. Pregnancy is a prothrombotic state. Due to poor systolic function, women with PPCM are prone to intracardiac thrombi and a high risk of thromboembolic events. Early diagnosis with echocardiography and treatment plays a critical role. We describe a case of a woman with PPCM and biventricular thrombi, with the aim of creating awareness for early echocardiographic screening for thrombi and appropriate implementation of care. \r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n Keywords:<\/strong> \r\n \r\n peripartum cardiomyopathy, thrombus<\/strong> \r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n Submitted:<\/strong> July 17, 2023; \r\n Accepted:<\/strong> February 23, 2024; \r\n Published Online First:<\/strong> April 25, 2024; \r\n Published:<\/strong> December 15, 2024 \r\n
\r\n Cardiovasc J Afr 2024; 35<\/b>: 431-434<\/em>\r\n
Volume 35, Issue 4<\/strong>
\r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n
\r\n DOI Citation Reference: dx.doi.org\/10.5830\/CVJA-2024-008 \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n Uganda Heart Institute, Upper Mulago Hill, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda<\/strong>
\r\n \r\n Juliet Nabbaale, MBChB, MMed, F.Card
\r\nEmmy Okello, MBChB, MMed, PhD, FACC\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n Cape Heart Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa\r\n<\/strong>
\r\n \r\n Karen Sliwa, MD, PhD, FESC, FACC
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Makerere University, College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda<\/strong>
\r\n \r\n Annette Nakimuli, MBChB, MMed, PhD

\r\n[soshsc hide=\"logged\"] \r\n\r\n You need to be logged in to view and download<\/a> the full text PDF version. Register for a free account?<\/a><\/strong>

[\/soshsc]\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an idiopathic cardiomyopathy presenting with a reduction in left ventricular systolic function towards the end of pregnancy or in the months after delivery. 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