Cardiomyopathy medical therapy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Treatment depends on the type of cardiomyopathy, but may include medication, implanted pacemakers, defribillators, or ventricular assist devices (LVADs), or ablation. The goal of treatment is often symptom relief, and some patients may eventually require a heart transplant. Treatment of cardiomyopathy (and other heart diseases) using alternative methods such as stem cell therapy is commercially available but is not supported by convincing evidence.

Medical Therapy

Many medicines are used to treat cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to:

• Lower your blood pressure. ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers are examples of medicines that lower blood pressure.
• Slow your heart rate. Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin are examples of medicines that slow the heart rate. Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers also are used to lower blood pressure.
• Keep your heart beating with a normal rhythm. These medicines, called antiarrhythmics, help prevent arrhythmias.
• Balance electrolytes in your body. Electrolytes are minerals that help maintain fluid levels and acid-base balance in the body. They also help muscle and nerve tissues work properly. Abnormal electrolyte levels may be a sign of dehydration (lack of fluid in your body), heart failure, high blood pressure, or other disorders. Aldosterone blockers are an example of a medicine used to balance electrolytes.
• Remove excess fluid and sodium from your body. Diuretics, or "water pills," are an example of a medicine that helps remove excess fluid and sodium from the body.
• Prevent blood clots from forming. Anticoagulants, or "blood thinners," are an example of a medicine that prevents blood clots. Blood thinners often are used to prevent blood clots from forming in people who have dilated cardiomyopathy.
• Reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are an example of a medicine used to reduce inflammation.

ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death - Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies (DO NOT EDIT)

Class I

"1. In addition to managing the underlying infiltrative cardiomyopathy, life-threatening arrhythmias should be treated in the same manner that such arrhythmias are treated in patients with other cardiomyopathies, including the use of ICD and pacemakers in patients who are receiving chronic optimal medical therapy and who have reasonable expectation of survival with a good functional status for more than 1 y. (Level of Evidence: C)"