The etiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy remains unknown. One hypothesis is that an increase in the 16-kDa form of prolactin is pathogenic and suggests that breastfeeding may worsen peripartum cardiomyopathy by increasing prolactin, while bromocriptine, which blocks prolactin release, may be therapeutic.

Editors

Editor-in-Chief
Douglas L. Mann, MD, FACC

CME Editor
L. Kristin Newby, MD, FACC

Authors
Amanda Coniglio, MD
Michelle Kelsey, MD
Vishal Rao, MD

CME Information

Target Audience
JACC Journal CME/MOC/ECME is intended for physicians who treat patients with cardiovascular disease.

Important Dates
Date of Release: June 24, 2019
Term of Approval/Date of CME/MOC/ECME Expiration: June 23, 2020

Learner Objectives
After reading this article the reader should be able to:

• List the risk factors for peripartum cardiomyopathy.
• Identify appropriate treatment strategies for women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy during pregnancy.
• Discuss the changes in the T cell population in the postpartum period with and without breastfeeding.

Method of Participation and Claiming Credit
This ACCF JACC Journals CME/MOC/ECME activity includes the reading of an article published in one of the JACC journals and the successful completion of self-assessment questions.  

Requesting AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credit™ and/or MOC or ECME credit for this Activity
To request credit, you must:

• Read the article for which you wish to receive credit.
• Answer the self-assessment questions. You need to have achieved a passing score of 70% or better in order for the Evaluation link to become activated. If you did not achieve a passing score, please click on the Posttest link in the left navigation bar and retake the exam.
• After you complete the Evaluation, click on the Claim Credit button in the left navigation bar.
• For CME or COP credit, enter the total amount of time you actually spent in the activity in the box provided. Please note that you may only claim once for this activity. Click Claim. 
• For MOC credit, click the Claim button in the row for MOC. Please note that you may only claim once for this activity. Confirm your ABIM number and date of birth.
• For ECME credit, click the Claim button in the row for ECME.  Please note that you may only claim once for this activity.  Enter date of birth and click Submit.  
• The page will be updated with the date and time that you claimed your credit.
• To view your credit, or to print a certificate, please go to ACC.org and navigate to the My Transcript section of My ACC.

This CME/MOC/ECME-certified activity may contain links to other educational resources such as clinical trial summaries, journal articles, guidelines, etc., that may not be CME/MOC/ECME certified. Please note that clicking on the links provided to view these resources will open new windows, which are outside of this CME/MOC/ECME-certified activity.