COMPLETE RECOVERY AFTER THE SEQUELAE OF CARDIOEMBOLIC STROKE IN THE ANTEPARTUM PERIOD

Cardiac disease complicates 0.2-4 percent of all pregnancies in western countries(1). In developing countries like India, cardiac diseases complicate 2 percent of pregnancies and contribute to about one-fifth of all maternal deaths(2). Rheumatic valvular heart disease is the most common in developing countries, comprising 56-89 percent of all cardiovascular diseases in pregnancy. Mitral stenosis is the most common rheumatic heart lesion and one of the most dangerous one for pregnant women causing pulmonary edema and cardiac arrhythmias. Cardioembolic stroke accounts for 20 percent of all ischemic strokes(3). Here we present a case of antepartum middle cerebral artery infarct presenting in a previously undiagnosed heart disease patient (moderate mitral stenosis and mild mitral regurgitation). Inspite of the grave complications of cardioembolic stroke and valvular heart disease, patient treated successfully and delivered by timely intervention and management.