FRI244 Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type 2 And Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report
Authors: Jimenez Aaron-Ross G , Christensen John David , Surampudi Prasanth , Phatak Sonal , Yoon John 
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: A.G. Jimenez: None. J.D. Christensen: None. P. Surampudi: None. S. Phatak: None. J. Yoon: None.

Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a diagnosis of exclusion with evolving understanding of pathophysiology. There is limited consideration of the autoimmune processes contributing to PPCM. Case Presentation: A 20-year-old female had a recent delivery complicated by placenta previa, hemorrhage requiring transfusion, and pelvic infection. She presented 2 weeks postpartum with altered mental status and abdominal pain, found to be in septic shock, acute respiratory failure, acute liver injury initially thought to be secondary to retained products of conception. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe PPCM as she developed signs of heart failure, low ejection fraction &lt;35%, mild ventricular dilatation, cardiogenic shock, hemorrhagic pericardial effusion with tamponade. She had no other prior cardiovascular history. She was briefly started on bromocriptine for treatment of suspected prolactin-mediated PPCM, in addition to digoxin, as her blood pressure was unable to sustain other treatments for PPCM. However, she hemodynamically decompensated and required persistent pressor support, leading to evaluation for other causes. Due to her prior history of hypothyroidism, an adrenal evaluation with a cosyntropin stimulation test was done. It demonstrated an undetectable cortisol at 0, 30, 60 minutes, with an elevated ACTH (1256, n=7-63 ng/dL), consistent with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Workup for PAI did not reveal any infectious, infiltrative, vascular, pharmacological, or neoplastic etiology. Lab workup for concomitant hypophysitis was significant for low IGF-1 (Z-score -5.8, n= -2.0 to +2.0), but otherwise had expected elevated prolactin (121 ng/mL, n=5.2-26.5 ng/mL), suppressed LH (0.3 mIU/mL) and FSH (2.4 mIU/mL), and normal TSH (3.87 mIU/mL, n=0.27-4.20 mIU/mL) on levothyroxine 100 mcg. She had normal parathyroid hormone and hemoglobin A1c levels with no history of chronic candidiasis. Further workup showed positive antibodies to adrenal 21-hydroxylase enzyme, thyroid peroxidase, and glutamic acid decarboxylase 65, suggestive of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) type 2. She was started on glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids for adrenal insufficiency resulting in a significant clinical improvement. She was subsequently discharged in stable condition. Conclusion: Due to increased rates of mortality in PPCM (4-11%), thought should be given to nontraditional etiologies of cardiac failure. Although rare, adrenal insufficiency must be considered in those with moderate-to-severe PPCM who continue to decompensate despite treatments. Untreated adrenal insufficiency can result in fatal consequences if not immediately treated. APS type 2 should be considered even in those without any confirmed family history of autoimmune disease. Those with autoimmune tendencies may be at higher risk of PPCM.

Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023