Cardiomyopathy

Question 1

define cardiomyopathy

Answer 1

this is any disease of the heart muscle

Question 2

four types of cardiomyopathy

Answer 2

1. dilated
2. hypertrophic
3. restrictive
4. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

Question 3

describe dilated cardiomyopathy

Answer 3

this is a dilated heart which leads to a low ejection fraction presenting with SOB and poor exercise tolerance

Question 4

define hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Answer 4

this is increased muscle in the myocardium leading to strong contraction with diastolic dysfunction

Question 5

management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Answer 5

• beta blockers and verapamil for symptoms to reduce force of contraction

Question 6

define restrictive cardiomyopathy

Answer 6

the heart muscle becomes rigid and less elastic due to deposited in the myocardium

Question 7

define Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

Answer 7

the right ventricle becomes replaced by fat

Question 8

what does Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia present with?

Answer 8

• syncope
• arrhythmia (AF)
• sudden death

Question 9

what does restrictive cardiomyopathy have to be distinguished from?

Answer 9

constrictive pericarditis

Question 10

what is constrictive pericarditis

Answer 10

the pericardium becomes rigid

Question 11

diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis

Answer 11

signs of right sided heart failure (rising JVP, Kussmauls sign, etc.)

Question 12

how to distinguish between restrictive cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericarditis

Answer 12

CT

MRI

Question 13

diagnosis of cardiomyopathy

Answer 13

• CXR
• echocardiogram
• ECG (LVH)
• stress testing
• cardiac catheterisation

Question 14

management of cardiomyopathies

Answer 14

• ICD (if arrhythmias present)
• VAD
• pacemaker and radio frequency ablation
• transplant