Magee-Womens Heart Program

Randomized Evaluation of Bromocriptine in Myocardial Recovery Therapy (REBIRTH) for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Trial PI: Dennis McNamara, MD, Agnes Koczo, MD, Malamo Countouris, MD
Research Coordinator: Donna Simpson, CRNP, MPH

The purpose of REBIRTH is to test whether drug called bromocriptine can strengthen the heart in women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy when compared to those not taking the drug while all remain on heart failure medication. Women who breastfeed may be eligible to be in an observational group that does not take study drug.

International Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (iSCAD) Registry

Site PI: Agnes Koczo, MD

The goal of the iSCAD Registry is to facilitate the development of best practices and clinical guidelines for predicting and treating SCAD as well as preventing its recurrence. This survey-based observational study is recruiting participating with recent or remote history of SCAD. Interested patients can be referred to the SCAD Clinic at the Magee Women’s Cardiovascular Center for enrollment in the registry.

Participants must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• Diagnosis of SCAD or history of SCAD based on coronary angiography, either catheter-based or coronary CTA
• Cause of coronary dissection is spontaneous, not primary traumatic or iatrogenic dissection

Phenotyping Later Life Left Ventricular Remodeling among Women with a History of Preeclampsia

PI: Malamo Countouris, MD
Research Coordinator: Sila Yavan

This research study aims to show why women have these abnormal heart muscle changes in the 10 to 12 years after having their babies. To do this, we will use heart MRI and blood measurements. Heart MRI gives a more in-depth look at the heart muscle and blood measurements will identify the number of proteins and molecules in the blood to understand if these molecules contribute to the heart muscle changes found on heart MRI.  

This proposed study aligns directly with the mission of the American Heart Association to help women live healthier lives and prevent heart disease.

UPMC Magee-Womens Heart Program Postpartum Hypertension Clinic Registry

PI: Malamo Countouris, MD
Research Coordinator: Sila Yavan

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women, yet CVD mortality rates among young women remain alarmingly stagnant. Women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are at an increased risk for CVD compared with women who have uncomplicated pregnancies.

The purpose of this study is to develop a database to study postpartum women with a history of pregnancy complications including high blood pressure, hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension. This study will allow us to collect data on women in the postpartum period who attend a postpartum hypertension clinic to guide best practices.

All patients in the Postpartum Hypertension Clinic older than 18 will be asked to complete a questionnaire on their medical history, demographic information, pregnancy history, symptoms, and knowledge about hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. These questionnaires will be used to build a database to study women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Participants who complete the survey will receive a $10 Amazon gift card (delivered electronically).

Participants must be above the age of 18 and have a diagnosis of a pregnancy complication including chronic hypertension, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, heart failure, or peripartum cardiomyopathy.