Bromocriptine for heart recovery after pregnancy-related heart failure
(1/2) Randomized Evaluation of Bromocriptine in Myocardial Recovery Therapy for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (REBIRTH)
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11168769
This project will test whether adding the drug bromocriptine to usual heart-failure care helps women who develop heart failure around the time of childbirth (peripartum cardiomyopathy) recover heart function.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11168769 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you develop heart failure during pregnancy or soon after delivery, this multicenter trial will enroll about 200 women and randomly give half eight weeks of bromocriptine and half a matching placebo in addition to standard heart-failure medicines. Doctors will use echocardiograms to measure heart pumping function when you join and again at 6 and 12 months to see how well the heart recovers. The study will also look at more detailed heart measurements, like global longitudinal strain and diastolic volume, and blood markers to see who benefits most. Sites are spread across North America and will follow participants for one year after treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy (heart failure during pregnancy or within months after delivery) who can take bromocriptine and attend study visits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Women who must continue breastfeeding and cannot stop lactation, or who have medical reasons that make bromocriptine unsafe, may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding bromocriptine could help more women with peripartum cardiomyopathy regain stronger heart function and lower the risk of long-term complications.
How similar studies have performed: Small studies in Africa and Europe showed promising improvements with bromocriptine, but a large randomized North American trial has not been done until now.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MCNAMARA, DENNIS M. — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: MCNAMARA, DENNIS M.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.