Effect of Bromocriptine on Left Ventricular Function in Women With Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM)
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy focused on measuring Peripartum cardiomyopathy, Bromocriptine
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Female subjects in the first 5 months postpartum with new onset of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (LV ejection fraction ≤35% as assessed by echocardiography) using the internationally accepted criteria for PPCM 1: absence of an identifiable cause of heart failure, absence of recognizable heart disease prior to the last month of pregnancy and LV systolic dysfunction demonstrated by classical echocardiographic criteria.
- Age equal or greater 18
- Written informed consent of the patient
Exclusion Criteria:
- Preexisting cardiac disease (except PPCM which had complete resolution in a previous pregnancy)
- Any preexisting serious conditions
- Previous cardiac surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention
- History of alcohol and/or any other drug abuse
- Contraindication to the planned therapy (e. g. hypersensitivity to trial medication or one of its components)
- Concomitant therapy other than specified in the trial protocol such as products for treatment of fungal infections, psychotropic drugs, medication with the active substances diclofenace, verapamil or doxycycline.
- Women with child bearing potency without effective contraception (i. e. implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, some IUDs or vasectomized partner) during the conduct of the trial. Patients using hormonal methods of contraception must be informed about possible influences of the study drug on contraception, in addition heart failure drugs may interfere with contraception. Patients will be counselled about the safest method to be used for contraception.
- Expected low compliance (e.g. by travel distance to trial site)
- Concomitant participation in other clinical trials
Sites / Locations
- Hannover Medical School (MHH)
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Bromocriptine
Control Group
Patients randomized to the study medication have to take bromocriptine orally for the first 14 days at a dose of 5 mg/day (= 2 tablets, 1 in morning, 1 in the evening). From day 15 to day 56 they will take a dose of 2.5 mg (= 1 tablet) orally in the evening. The duration of the intervention is 8 weeks, thereafter the patients continue to be observed in the follow-up part of the study up to month 6. The study medication is taken on top of standard therapy for heart failure. Part of this therapy are ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are potentially harmful for the baby when getting into the breast milk, as bromocriptine stops milk production, no additional drug is needed.
The control group will receive standard therapy for heart failure. Part of this therapy are ACE inhibitors. Since ACE inhibitors are potentially harmful for the baby when getting into the breast milk, it is necessary to stop lactation in the control group as well.To stop lactation, application of bromocriptine (2.5mg/day) for up to one week.