Postpartum Churg-Strauss syndrome with severe cardiac involvement: description of a case and review of the literature

Clin Rheumatol. 2009 Jun;28(6):739-43. doi: 10.1007/s10067-009-1143-x. Epub 2009 Feb 24.

Abstract

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare small- or intermediate-vessel necrotizing vasculitis typically characterized by asthma, lung infiltrates, necrotizing granulomas, and hypereosinophilia. In this report, we describe the case of a 35-year-old woman who, during her third trimester of pregnancy, developed dyspnea and, after delivery, severe cardiac failure which required heart transplantation. Diagnosis of CSS was made after performing a myocardial biopsy. We have also undertaken a review of the English-language literature regarding previously reported cases of pregnancies in women suffering from Churg-Strauss syndrome with particular attention to those patients with cardiovascular involvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / complications
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis*
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Heart Failure / surgery
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / diagnosis*