JAMESFETT
04-26-2007, 09:19 AM
Lookinig at PPCM in 2007 compared to state of our knowledge in 2000, there are clearly advances that help in the recognition and management of PPCM. Hopefully we will be able to build on these:
1)Use of plasma C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels as an indicator of an inflammatory process in the heart.
2)Use of medical history tool for earlier recognition of heart failure at term pregnancy. Earlier diagnosis translates into better results with earlier application of effective treatment.
3)Use of plasma CRP, B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and echo to monitor subsequent pregnancy in previously diagnosed PPCM patient. Earlier recognition of relapse translates into better outcomes.
4)Use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium enhancement as indicator of inflammatory process in heart and assessment of utility of performing endomyocardial biopsy.
5)Use of endomyocardial biopsy in failure-to-improve or slow-to-improve PPCM patients, applying immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction testing for viral particles. Potential findings may help in application of newer "non-conventional" treatments.
Please feel free to discuss these with your physicians and others.
James D. Fett, MD
1)Use of plasma C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels as an indicator of an inflammatory process in the heart.
2)Use of medical history tool for earlier recognition of heart failure at term pregnancy. Earlier diagnosis translates into better results with earlier application of effective treatment.
3)Use of plasma CRP, B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and echo to monitor subsequent pregnancy in previously diagnosed PPCM patient. Earlier recognition of relapse translates into better outcomes.
4)Use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium enhancement as indicator of inflammatory process in heart and assessment of utility of performing endomyocardial biopsy.
5)Use of endomyocardial biopsy in failure-to-improve or slow-to-improve PPCM patients, applying immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction testing for viral particles. Potential findings may help in application of newer "non-conventional" treatments.
Please feel free to discuss these with your physicians and others.
James D. Fett, MD