Postpartum myocardial infarction induced by Parlodel

The authors report the case of a 28 year old woman who developed antero-septoapical myocardial infarction in the post-partum period. This was detected by surface ECG and echocardiography performed after a systemic embolism. The infarction followed treatment with Parlodel for inhibition of lactation. Coronary angiography, performed one month post-partum, was normal and the methergin test was negative. The physiopathological mechanism of myocardial infarction resulted from the association of an iatrogenic spastic phenomenon favourised by the patient restarting to smoke and the physiological arterial hyperactivity of the post-partum period. This mechanism raises the question of preventive measures in cases of inhibition of lactation in the post-partum period, notably stopping smoking.