Randomized Evaluation of Bromocriptine In Myocardial Recovery THerapy for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (REBIRTH)
Dennis M. McNamara, MD, MS
Summary
The study will enroll 200 women newly diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy within 5 months postpartum in a randomized placebo controlled trial of bromocriptine therapy to evaluate its impact on myocardial recovery and clinical outcomes. Given that bromocriptine prevents breastfeeding, an additional 50 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy excluded from the trial due to a desire to continue breastfeeding but meeting all other entry criteria will be followed in an observational cohort.
Description
The study will enroll 200 women newly diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy within 5 months postpartum in a randomized trial of bromocriptine therapy to evaluate its impact on myocardial recovery. All women will have an assessment of LVEF demonstrating an LVEF \< or = 0.40 within 4 weeks prior to consent. The women in the breastfeeding cohort will have a qualifying LVEF \< 0.40 within 8 weeks prior to consent. At entry they will then have an assessment of LVEF by echocardiogram which will be repeated at 6- and 12-months post study entry. Subjects in the randomized trial will be randomized t…