Familial peripartum cardiomyopathy after molar pregnancy.

Background: The potential complications of molar pregnancy are numerous and well defined, but associated peripartum cardiomyopathy has not been reported.

Case: A 16-year-old primigravida with a family history of peripartum cardiomyopathy requiring cardiac transplantation underwent suction curettage of a complete mole at 12 weeks' gestation. Three months after evacuation, she developed congestive heart failure. Radionuclide ventriculography demonstrated an ejection fraction of 30%, echocardiography revealed enlargement and ventricular hypokinesis, and a myocardial biopsy specimen contained hypertrophy and fibrosis without necrosis or active inflammation. The patient improved with medical therapy.

Conclusion: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a potential complication of molar pregnancy. In spite of the poor prognosis sometimes reported for this disease, good functional outcome may follow.