Dilated Cardiomyopathy – a disease that causes the enlargement of all the chambers of the heart, usually starting in the left ventricle which is heart’s main pumping chamber. The ventricle stretches, dilates, and unable to pump blood as it should. There is decreased cardiac out and decrease contractility as a result. Causes of primary cardiomyopathy is unknown, secondary cardiomyopathy may be caused by ischemia, infection, or metabolic disorders.
Cardiomyopathy is a common cause of heart failure and dysrhythmia, dilated cardiomyopathy can also contribute to irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), blood clots or sudden death. Treatment include digoxin, antidysrhythmics, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Heart transplantation may be considered if the damage to the heart is considered to be permanent and unrecoverable.

Content area: Med-Surg | Cardiac