Ebstein’s Anomaly Presenting as Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome in a Postpartum Patient

Abstract

Ebstein’s anomaly is a common congenital abnormality in the Wolff-Parkinson white syndrome (WPW). The term WPW is applied to patients with both preexcitation on ECG and paroxysmal tachycardias. In this case review, we describe a female with a history of intermittent palpitations who presented in the postpartum period with WPW. Subsequent testing revealed an underlying Ebstein’s anomaly. In the United States, heart disease is responsible for 10% of maternal deaths. Although pregnancy is well known to exacerbate symptoms in patients with WPW, postpartum exacerbation has not been clearly described. This unusual case suggests that monitoring beyond the peurperium would be advisable in patients at risk to develop malignant tachyarrhythmias.