Dyspnea and COVID-19: A Review of Confounding Diagnoses during the Postpartum Period

Abstract

The puerperium is a complex period that begins with placental delivery and lasts for 6 weeks, during which readaptation of the female organism and redistribution of blood volume occur. This period is conducive to the occurrence of thromboembolic events. In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the virus responsible for COVID-19, the attention of the scientific community and health professionals has been focused on obtaining insights on different aspects of this disease, including etiology, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment. Regarding the pregnancy–postpartum cycle, it is opportune to review the clinical conditions that can occur during this period and to investigate dyspnea as a postpartum symptom in order to avoid its immediate association with COVID-19 without further investigation, which can lead to overlooking the diagnosis of other important and occasionally fatal conditions.

Unknown Rheumatic Cardiac Disease as Cause of Acute Onset Post-Partum Dyspnea: a Case Report

“…Early puerperium is a complex period with readaptation processes occurring in the female organism and redistribution of blood volume. The investigation of an acute onset dyspnea in this period (even during the COVID-19 era) should include a complete evaluation for causes, such as previously silent cardiac diseases [1].…”