Cardiomyopathies Flashcards
What are some structural changes caused by cardiomyopathies?
abnormal hypertrophy or dilatation of the ventricles
What are some secondary causes of cardiomyopathies?
Autoimmune Diseases
Viral or infectious illness
Chemotherapy Agents
Connective tissue disorders
Metabolic or nutritional deficiencies
What are the four main types of cardiomyopathies.
Dilated (DCM)
Hypertrophic (HCM)
Restrictive (RCM)
Stress Induced (Takotsubo)
Clinical manifestations of dilated cardiomyopathy
Weakness and fatigue
Heart Failure: Decreased cardiac output
Dyspnea: DOE, PND, orthopnea
Peripheral edema
Ascites
Dysrhythmias: atrial, ventricular, SCD
Murmur: Mitral Regurgitation
“Big boggy heart”
Clinical manifestation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Some asymptomatic or mild symptoms
Dyspnea exercise or rest
Chest Pain
Syncope: outflow tract obstruction
Dysrhythmias (VT, VF, also AF)
Mitral Murmur
Clinical manifestations of restrictive cardiomyopathy
Left Sided Heart Failure
-Dyspnea: DOE, PND
-Cough: non-productive
-Chest Pain
Right Sided Heart Failure:
-Peripheral edema
-Hepatomegaly
-JVD
S3 and S4
Clinical manifestations of stress induced cardiomyopathy
Acute substernal chest pain
Dyspnea after emotionally or physical
stressful trigger
Palpitations
ECG: ST Segment elevation
Cardiac Enzymes mild elevation
BNP highly elevated
What do patients with dilated cardiomyopathy have to be closely monitored for? Why?
Mural thrombi formation due to stasis of blood from ventricle not being able to pump efficiently
What are some diagnostic tests used to evaluate Cardiomyopathy?
Echocardiography: structure & function
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Chest x-ray
Cardiac MRI
Cardiac Catheterization: evaluate coronaries
Coronary CT
Myocardial Biopsy
What are 2 common complications of patients with cardiomyopathy?
What medications are used to treat cardiomyopathy? What is their effect on the myocardium?
Drug regimen used to treat heart failure are used to treat cardiomyopathies with symptoms of heart failure.
-ACE Inhibitors: (ACEI)
-Aldosterone Receptor Antagonists (ARBs)
-Beta Blockers (BB)
-Diuretics
Vasopressors
Anticoagulants: reduce risk of thrombus or embolus.
Dysrhythmias: Medications
What are some surgical procedures that may be used to manage cardiomyopathies?
-Intra aortic balloon pump (IABPs)
* Pacemakers
* Resynchronization Therapy
* Biventricular Pacemaker
* Septal Myectomy
* Alcohol Septal Ablation
* Left Ventricular Assist Device
* Heart Transplantation
What patient education regarding home care is important to include for patients with cardiomyopathy?
Restrict sodium
Dietary modifications
Prescribed activity program
Prevent stress
Identify community resources
Report signs of HF
Weigh daily
Know signs of arrhythmias
