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==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment for Alcoholic cardiomyopathy involves a lifestyle change as well as treatment through medication. If the heart failure is severe the effectiveness of treatment will be limited.
Treatment for alcoholic cardiomyopathy involves lifestyle changes, including complete abstinence from [[alcohol]] use, a low sodium diet, and fluid restriction, as well as medications. If the [[heart failure]] is severe, the effectiveness of treatment will be limited.


Medication may include, [[ACE inhibitors]] and [[Beta Blockers]] which are commonly used with other forms of cardiomyopathy to reduce the strain on the heart. The medication may include diuretics to help remove the excess liquid in the body.
Medications may include, [[ACE inhibitors]] and [[beta blockers]] which are commonly used with other forms of [[cardiomyopathy]] to reduce the strain on the [[heart]]. It may also include [[diuretic]]s to help remove the excess fluid from the body. Persons with [[congestive heart failure]] may be considered for surgical insertion of an [[ICD]] or a [[pacemaker]] which can improve the heart function. In cases where the [[heart failure]] is irreversible and worsening, a [[heart transplant]] may be considered.
Persons with congestive heart failure maybe considered for surgery insert and ICD or a pacemaker which can improve the heart function. In cases where the heart failure is irreversible and declining a heart transplant maybe considered.
Lifestyle changes would include an absitnance from alcohol, a low sodium diet and a reduction in the fluids consumed.


Treatment will possibly prevent the heart from deterioration but is unlikely to reverse the reduced function that has already occurred
Treatment will possibly prevent the [[heart]] from further deterioration, and the cardiomyopathy is largely reversible if complete abstinence from [[alcohol]] is maintained.


==Related Chapters==
==Related Chapters==

Revision as of 19:58, 23 January 2013

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

Overview

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the abuse of alcohol use damages the heart muscle causing heart failure. It is characterized by constellation of findings which includes a history of excessive alcohol intake, physical signs of alcohol abuse, heart failure, and supportive findings consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Pathophysiology

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy. Excessive use of alcohol has a direct toxic effect on the heart muscle cells. The heart muscle becomes weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently. The lack of blood flow affects all parts of the body, resulting in damage to multiple tissues and organ systems. Alcohol may also directly damage the liver.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is more prevalent in middle age males between the ages of 35-50. However, females may be more sensitive to cardiotoxic effects of alcohol.

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

The alcohol history, with attention to daily, maximal, and lifetime intake and the duration of alcohol consumption as well as the nutritional status of the patient should be inquired about.

Symptoms presented by the occurrence of alcoholic cardiomyopathy are the result of the heart failure and usually occur after the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Therefore the symptoms have a lot in common with other forms of cardiomyopathy.

Physical Examination

Electrocardiogram

Chest X Ray

Echocardiography

  • Echocardiography is the most useful initial diagnostic test in the evaluation of patients with heart failure. Because of its noninvasive nature and the ease of the test, it is the test of choice in the initial and follow-up evaluation of most forms of cardiomyopathy. It provides information not only on overall heart size and function, but also on valvular structure and function, wall motion and thickness, and pericardial disease.

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Treatment for alcoholic cardiomyopathy involves lifestyle changes, including complete abstinence from alcohol use, a low sodium diet, and fluid restriction, as well as medications. If the heart failure is severe, the effectiveness of treatment will be limited.

Medications may include, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers which are commonly used with other forms of cardiomyopathy to reduce the strain on the heart. It may also include diuretics to help remove the excess fluid from the body. Persons with congestive heart failure may be considered for surgical insertion of an ICD or a pacemaker which can improve the heart function. In cases where the heart failure is irreversible and worsening, a heart transplant may be considered.

Treatment will possibly prevent the heart from further deterioration, and the cardiomyopathy is largely reversible if complete abstinence from alcohol is maintained.

Related Chapters

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