Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopaty is when your heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) becomes enlarged and can’t pump blood to your body as well as it should, it’s called dilated cardiomyopathy. It is a common cause of heart failure, since the heart can’t pump enough blood to supply the body’s tissues and organs. Left untreated, dilated cardiomyopathy can lead to death.

Symptoms can include shortness of breath, even when you’re just lying down, reduced ability to exercise, persistent coughing or wheezing, lightheadedness, dizziness or feeling faint, swelling of the legs, ankles and feet, sudden weight gain, difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness and palpitations of the heart.

Surgery

To control dilated cardiomyopathy, a bi-ventricular pacemaker is surgically inserted into the upper chest near the collarbone. When the heart stops beating or slows, the pacemaker sends a signal to the heart through an attached wire, stimulating both the right and left side of the heart simultaneously. The heart then returns to its normal rhythm.

A second option is the installation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Working in combination with a pacemaker, the ICD stimulates the heart, much like a traditional defibrillator. It has dramatically reduced the chance of death in people with dilated cardiomyopathy.

The only cure for severe dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart transplant.

Medical Management

Medications used to treat dilated cardiomyopathy include:

ACE inhibitors: This medication helps widen the blood vessels, increasing blood flow and decreasing the workload on the heart. They are a basic therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy.

Anticoagulants: Warfarin and heparin help prevent blood clots that can lead to stoke in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Antiarrythmics: Control the heart rate whenever abnormal, rapid heartbeats are present.

Beta-blockers: Slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure.

Digoxin: Increases the strength of the muscle contraction, improves blood flow and alleviates some of the symptoms.

Diuretics: Remove excess fluid and salts from the body.