Postpartum stroke, a diagnostic challenge

Am J Emerg Med. 2008 Sep;26(7):843.e3-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2008.01.045.

Abstract

Postpartum stroke is rare, and because complaints are similar to preeclampsia, diagnostic confusion may delay the diagnostic workup that should include prompt computerized tomography of the brain. We describe a patient with postpartum stroke who died because of extensive ischemic damage throughout the brain with 3 simultaneous arterial occlusions. We stress the importance of raising this diagnosis in your workup because adequate measurements like angiography and intra-arterial thrombolysis could significantly improve the patient's outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Puerperal Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Puerperal Disorders / therapy
  • Stroke / diagnosis*
  • Stroke / therapy