Bromocriptine and postpartum cerebral angiopathy: a causal relationship?

Neurology. 1996 Jun;46(6):1754-6. doi: 10.1212/wnl.46.6.1754.

Abstract

We describe a postpartum 30-year-old woman who developed headaches, hypertension, and speech disturbances after bromocriptine treatment to suppress lactation. Brain MRI revealed intraparenchymal hematomas, and an angiographic study showed multiple arterial segmental narrowings compatible with postpartum cerebral angiopathy. We also comment on other cases of postpartum cerebral angiopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / complications
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / pathology
  • Arterioles / diagnostic imaging
  • Arterioles / pathology
  • Bromocriptine / adverse effects*
  • Cerebral Angiography*
  • Cerebral Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Arteries / pathology*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / complications
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Hemiplegia / etiology
  • Hormone Antagonists / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Lactation / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Puerperal Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Puerperal Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Puerperal Disorders / pathology
  • Speech Disorders / etiology
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects

Substances

  • Hormone Antagonists
  • Bromocriptine