Faculty: Health Sciences: Cape Heart Institute, Department of Medicine
Title of the Impact Case Study/Project:
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Understanding pathophysiology, improving diagnosis and therapy in a cardiac disease common in African women.
Project leader/team
Prof. Karen Sliwa Director, Cape Heart Institute
Karen.sliwa-hahnle@uct.ac.za
www.chi.uct.ac.za
Summary of the impact:
New Medication for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy:
Based on her collaborative, basic science, translational research, Prof. Karen Sliwa discovered a novel
pathomechanism, leading to peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a condition common in African
women, with a mortality of 10-15%. Her clinical research on pathways of oxidative stress and cardiac
signalling in animal and humans led to a new therapeutic option – namely the use of bromocriptine –
and a reduction in morbidity and mortality.
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