Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
James D Fett
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Exp Cardiolog
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), heart failure from pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy, entered the modern era in the USA in 2000, with the report from the Workshop on Peripartum Cardiomyopathy from the National Institutes of Health. Since then, there has been a great reduction in mortality in the USA (from a range of 18-56 % down to a range of 1-5 % ) and an increasing number of women who have experienced recovery of heart function in the USA (from less than one-third to over one- half). PPCM may be the non-ischemic cardiomyopathy that has the greatest potential of all cardiomyopathies for full recovery. Despite these impressive changes, from one-third to one-half of PPCM patients still go on to chronic heart failure; and experience other life-threatening complications. An essential key to a better path is to make an earlier diagnosis. Time-of-diagnosis left ventricular systolic function (LVEF) greater than 30-35 % is associated with high survival and recovery rates. Increased mortality, chronic cardiomyopathy, thromboembolic complications, serious ventricular tachyarrhythmias, left ventricular assist devices and transplantation are more likely to be associated with diagnostic LVEF below 30-35 %. An earlier diagnosis may be associated with the more favorable diagnostic levels, while any delay in diagnosis is more likely to be associated with lower LVEF. Earlier diagnosis can be greatly facilitated when there is an awareness of the possibility of heart failure in a peripartum patient, who ordinarily would be expected to have a healthy heart. This awareness must importantly be present not only in the mother herself, but in all those health professionals with whom she comes in contact, including nurses, mid-wives, obstetricians, emergency room physicians, and primary care providers. A new tool has been developed to help distinguish heart failure signs and symptoms from those of normal pregnancy. There are 3 areas of newer investigations that may help both with earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment: Immune system activation, role of cardiotoxic prolactin metabolites, and soluble FLT1 with angiogenic imbalance
James D Fett, MD, MPH, has worked on peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) issues for over 25 years, having been introduced to the condition in Haiti, in 1984. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in numerous medical journals. He has presented PPCM-related abstracts at several Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, and made PPCM-related presentations as well as chairing sections at the 2009 Annual International Congress of Cardiology in Shanghai, China, in 2009; at the 1 st International Congress on Cardiac Problems in Pregnancy in Valencia, Spain, in 2010; as well as at the 2 nd International Congress on Cardiac Problems in Pregnancy in Berlin, Germany, in 2012. He currently serves as Consultant, Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Network of North America (PCN) and as Co-Chairman, Investigations in Pregnancy Associated Cardiomyopathy (IPAC) Study, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Early Biographical Data: Born in Campbell, Minnesota, USA 26 August 1934 Campbell Public School, 1-12. Education/Training: University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD, BA Chemistry, 1952-55. University of Minnesota/University of Minnesota Medical School, MD, 1955-60. University Minnesota School Public Health, MPH, 1962/63. Institute Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium, 1963/64. Kansas City General Hospital, Rotating Internship 1960/61. Lafayette Charity Hospital, Family Practice Residency 1961/62. Abbott Northwestern Hospital, U MN, Internal Medicine Residency, 1968-/70/72. Certification: American Board Internal Medicine, 1970/1973/1980 (lifetime). Professional Experience: Staff Physician, Vanga Hospital, Democratic Republic Congo, 1963-68. Staff Internist, Director School Public Health, Vanga Hospital, Zaire, 1970-72. Staff Internist, Medical Associates Clinic, Pierre, SD, 1973-75. Staff Internist, Clinical Director, Indian Health Service, Rapid City, SD, 1975-80. Chief Medical Officer, Bemidji Area Indian Health Service, 1980-83. Staff Internist, Clinical Director, Indian Health Service, White Earth, MN 1983-84. Medical Director, Hospital Albert Schweitzer, Deschapelles, Haiti, 1984-86. Staff Internist, Clinical Director, Indian Health Service, White Earth, MN 1986-93