PERIPARTUM CARDIOMYOPATHY NETWORK

The Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Network (PCN) is a network of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses at clinical sites across the United States and Canada dedicated to both clinical care and investigation of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). PPCM is a rare complication of pregnancy which occurs in 1 of every 2000 live births in the United States. It presents in women late in pregnancy or the first several months postpartum. While most affected women will recover cardiac function over the first-year, a large subset of women with PPCM do not recover completely and are left with chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. Peripartum cardiomyopathy remains a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality.

The rare nature of this disorder has limited the practical experience of most clinicians and has represented a challenge as well for clinical investigation. For this reason, the PCN was formed in 2009 and currently includes more than 50 clinical sites across the United States and Canada. Our goal is to provide access to clinicians experienced in the management of this disorder for women with PPCM and their physicians. The PCN also hopes to facilitate clinical investigations to further the understand the pathogenesis of this disorder, evaluate new therapies, and improve clinical outcomes for women with PPCM.