Bromocriptine to help heart recovery after pregnancy-related heart failure (REBIRTH)

(2/2) Randomized Evaluation of Bromocriptine In Myocardial Recovery THerapy for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (REBIRTH)

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11171580

This research compares standard heart failure care with and without the drug bromocriptine for women who develop peripartum cardiomyopathy to test whether adding bromocriptine helps the heart recover.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded)
Locations1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11171580 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you have heart failure around the time of childbirth (peripartum cardiomyopathy), this project compares usual heart failure medicines alone versus the same care plus bromocriptine, a drug that lowers prolactin. You would be randomly assigned to one of the two groups and followed with clinic visits, heart imaging, and tests over the first year after delivery. The University of Pittsburgh will coordinate data across multiple sites in North America to enroll a racially diverse group of women. The goal is to learn whether adding bromocriptine helps more women regain heart function and avoid long-term heart problems.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy (heart failure occurring late in pregnancy or within months after delivery) who meet the study's medical criteria and can attend follow-up visits are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Women without peripartum cardiomyopathy, those whose heart function has already recovered, or those with medical contraindications to bromocriptine or who cannot stop breastfeeding may not benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding bromocriptine could increase the chance that women with peripartum cardiomyopathy recover heart function and reduce chronic heart failure and related deaths.

How similar studies have performed: Several smaller studies, mostly outside North America, have suggested benefit from bromocriptine in PPCM, but a large randomized trial in a multi-racial North American population is new.

Where this research is happening

PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.