Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with long axis parasternal view and M-Mode dilated chambers and poor LV systolic function. 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with long axis parasternal view and M-Mode dilated chambers and poor LV systolic function.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: An Autoimmune Disease

Prof. Karen Sliwa is co-chair of the new Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Working Group of the Heart Failure Association of the European Cardiac Society. This group had its first meeting in Nice, France.

Aims of the PPCM study group

To establish a platform where the current knowledge of PPCM based on international experimental and clinical studies is summarised and regularly updated, for example in the form of consensus papers.

We will raise awareness of this rare but detrimental disease in specific awareness programmes, i.e. sessions of international and national congresses and publishing articles in local and international scientific publications. Furthermore we provide information and contact addresses on our webpage for physicians and patients.

In addition, we plan to coordinate international data collection and analysis for better understanding of the disease.

We will regularly meet to discuss and optimise current management strategies of PPCM in terms of diagnostic test, novel therapy strategies, and collecting data on long-term prognosis.

Study group organisation

Co-chairs: Burkert Pieske (HFA member), Karen Sliwa (HeFSSA)

Members:

Uri Elkayam

Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner

John McMurray

Sabine Pankuweit

Zoltan Papp

Mark Petrie

Vera Regitz-Zagrosek

Petar Seferovic

Ajay Shah

Luigi Tavazzi

Dirk van Veldhuisen

Hugh Watkins