Prof. Sliwa is the Director of the Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Born in Germany, studying Medicine, undergoing training as a physician and cardiologist in many countries, she has lived in South Africa since 1992. Cardiovascular disease in pregnancy and postpartum is one of her main areas of clinical and pathophysiological research. Recent progress in understanding underlying pathophysiology of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, enabled by novel experimental approaches interlinked with unique international efforts has led to great progress in awareness and management of the disease. To coordinate efforts even better, a Study Group, ‘Peripartum Cardiomyopathy’, of the Heart Failure Association of the European Cardiac Society, chaired by her and others was formed in 2009. That has led to a large international registry under the EuroObservational Programe on Peripartum Cardiomyopathy.In recognition of her work Prof Sliwa has received several awards, including the South Africa/Germany Year of Science Celebrations Award (2012), German Cardiac Society Paul Morawitz Award for Exceptional Cardiovascular Research (2013) and the Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy award (2014) and the Africa’s most influential women in Business & Government life-time award (2015 and 2016). In 2017 Prof. Sliwa was awarded an Honorary Doctorate University Diderot-Sorbonne, Paris, France. This is the Highest Distinction of French Universities as a recognition towards Research and Global Engagement which is awarded by the French University Research Board and approved by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.She serves on many editorial boards and is also an editorial consultant to ‘The Lancet’. Furthermore, she is former president of the South African Heart Association and on the board of the South African Heart Failure Society, which was established under her leadership in 2005. She is president-elect of the World Heart Federation (2017-2018), serves on the European Cardiac Society International Affairs Committee and is Vice-president South and board member of the Pan African Society of Cardiology. She has been the Faculty of Health Science Deputy Dean for Research from 1 March 2017-30 April 2018.

• 1. Foreword by editor 2. What is known about etiology and pathophysiology of PPCM?3. How to diagnose the condition?4. How to risk stratify women with newly diagnosed PPCM?5. How to manage a woman presenting with acute PPCM?6. What needs to be known about longer-term management and prognosis?7. Is a subsequent pregnancy safe?8. How to advise on safe delivery and best contraception?9. What can be learned from the Global Registry on PPCM?10. What are the gaps in knowledge on PPCM?

"This book is informative, concise, and extremely relevant to many in the field of medicine. The quality of the book in terms of format, content, and layout are fantastic. It will be a wonderful source for physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure they are well-versed on treatment considerations for a vulnerable patient population presenting with this condition. Weighted Numerical Score: 98 - 5 Stars!" --© Doody’s Review Service, 2021, Amber Laine Watson, reviewer, expert opinion