Treatment of Ischemic or Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Although ischemic cardiomyopathy and the other forms of dilated cardiomyopathy can cause the symptoms of heart failure, each type requires a specific treatment strategy of medications, surgical intervention, and lifestyle choices to effectively control the disease. The patient's involvement in the treatment plan and commitment to follow-up care are crucial to the success of the treatment.

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For patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, the underlying cause of their cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, must be treated as well. This usually involves restoring circulation to the heart muscle and controlling CAD in addition to treating the cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is treated with a combination of the following treatment options:

• Medications including diuretics, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, aldosterone inhibitors, hydralazine, nitrates, digoxin, anticoagulants, or antiarrhythmic medications may be prescribed
• Heart surgery to repair abnormal heart valves, or bypass coronary blockages if present, to improve the functioning of the heart
• Surgical implantation of devices including cardiac pacemaker, cardioverter defibrillator, or left ventricular assist device
• Heart transplant.