Postpartum angina-like symptom complex associated with Syntometrine®

An angina-like symptom complex, characterized by chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and electrocardiogram changes, is a rare event in the immediate postpartum period. We prospectively followed all consecutive births at a single obstetric ward over a 4-month period. All 2640 women routinely received intramuscular Syntometrine® (ergometrine maleate 0.5 mg and oxytocin 5 IU) at the end of the third stage of labor. Twelve (0.45%) of the women reported chest pain and at least two complaints from the above symptom complex within 60 min of Syntometrine administration. The symptoms resolved spontaneously and no long-term complications were observed. We conclude that postpartum administration of Syntometrine may be associated with a self-limited angina-like symptom complex.