There is no specific treatment for primary restrictive cardiomyopathy; the main goal is to treat the heart failure symptoms caused by restrictive cardiomyopathy. With secondary types of restrictive cardiomyopathy like amyloidosis and sarcoidosis however, the underlying diseases can be treated. The backbone treatments for restrictive cardiomyopathy include diuretics, vasodilators, ACE inhibitors and anticoagulation therapies. Beta blockers help to improve ventricular relaxation and diastolic function, as well as increase ventricular filling time. Diuretics are used to lessen preload and help ease pulmonary congestion. ACE inhibitors also help to improve diastolic filling, but should not be used in patients with amyloidosis as it may have side effects like severe hypotension. For patients with arrhythmias like
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It is a disease that affects the hearts myocardium causing it to become more rigid. Restrictive cardiomyopathy may be idiopathic or due to a secondary source like amyloidosis or a glycogen storage disease. It is a significant cause of heart failure and symptoms include dyspnea, fatigue, edema and shortness of breath. On an echocardiogram, the left ventricle is well preserved with normal wall thickness and systolic function. However, the ventricular walls become stiff causing diastolic dysfunction and elevated filling pressure. Atrial enlargement then occurs, along with valvular regurgitation. Due to the difficulty in diagnosis, along with a transthoracic echocardiogram, MRI’s, CT’s and tissue biopsy are also needed. Since adults experience long term signs, medications are used to help treat the symptoms caused by restrictive cardiomyopathy and consequently, heart failure. Pacemakers and even heart transplants are often recommended in more severe cases. Sadly, the disease has the poorest prognosis with 2- and 5- year mortality rates of 50% and 70% and the highest rate of sudden
It is a disease that affects the hearts myocardium causing it to become more rigid. Restrictive cardiomyopathy may be idiopathic or due to a secondary source like amyloidosis or a glycogen storage disease. It is a significant cause of heart failure and symptoms include dyspnea, fatigue, edema and shortness of breath. On an echocardiogram, the left ventricle is well preserved with normal wall thickness and systolic function. However, the ventricular walls become stiff causing diastolic dysfunction and elevated filling pressure. Atrial enlargement then occurs, along with valvular regurgitation. Due to the difficulty in diagnosis, along with a transthoracic echocardiogram, MRI’s, CT’s and tissue biopsy are also needed. Since adults experience long term signs, medications are used to help treat the symptoms caused by restrictive cardiomyopathy and consequently, heart failure. Pacemakers and even heart transplants are often recommended in more severe cases. Sadly, the disease has the poorest prognosis with 2- and 5- year mortality rates of 50% and 70% and the highest rate of sudden