Peripartum cardiomyopathy in patients with psychiatric disorders successfully treated with bromocriptine: Two case reports

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disorder in which left ventricular systolic dysfunction and heart failure symptoms occur during the peripartum period. Inhibition of prolactin secretion by bromocriptine mediates beneficial effects on cardiac function in PPCM. Mental disorders are also associated with the onset of PPCM. Psychiatric medications for mental disorders would affect serotonin production and tryptophan and dopamine metabolism, and they are associated with PPCM. Conversely, bromocriptine affects psychiatric symptoms; therefore, the treatment of PPCM complicated by mental disorders using bromocriptine may be difficult. Herein, we report cases of two patients with PPCM and mental disorders successfully treated with bromocriptine therapy. The first case involved a 33-year-old woman with a history of atypical depression and anxiety disorder, who developed PPCM with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 19 %. The second case was that of a 42-year-old woman with a history of bipolar and panic disorders who developed PPCM with an LVEF of 18 %. Both patients were administered bromocriptine; however, psychiatric symptoms did not worsen and cardiac function improved. We also review the literature on the relationship between PPCM and mental disorders.

Learning objective

Mental disorders and psychiatric medications may be associated with the onset of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Although bromocriptine has beneficial effects on PPCM, it has also been reported to increase the risk of worsening psychiatric symptoms; therefore, the efficacy and safety of bromocriptine in PPCM patients with mental disorders is controversial. Our cases showed that bromocriptine can be used safely without worsening psychiatric symptoms in PPCM with mental disorders.