| Cardiomyopathy |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT CARDIOMYOPATHY | |
| cardiology | |
| cardiomyopathycardiology | |
| cardiomyopathy | |
| cardiology | |
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Cardiomyopathies can generally be categorized into two groups, based on WHO guidelines: extrinsic cardiomyopathies and '''intrinsic cardiomyopathies'''. =Extrinsic cardiomyopathies= These are cardiomyopathies where the primary Pathology is outside the myocardium itself. Most cardiomyopathies are extrinsic, because by far the most common cause of a cardiomyopathy is ischaemia. A reasonably complete list of extrinsic causes of cardiomyopathy would be:
ISCHAEMIC CARDIOMYOPATHY Ischaemic cardiomyopathy is a weakness in the muscle of the heart due to Coronary Artery Disease . Individuals with ischaemic cardiomyopathy typically have a history of Myocardial Infarction (heart attack), although longstanding ischaemia can cause enough damage to the Myocardium to precipitate a clinically significant cardiomyopathy even in the absence of myocardial infarction. In a typical presentation, the area of the heart affected by a myocardial infarction will initially become Necrotic as it dies, and will then be replaced by scar tissue ( Fibrosis ). This fibrotic tissue is akinetic; it is no longer muscle and can not contribute to the heart's function as a pump. If this akinetic region of the heart is substantial enough, the affected side of the heart (i.e. the left or right side) will go into Failure , and this failure is the functional result of an ischaemic cardiomyopathy. =Intrinsic Cardiomyopathies= An intrinsic cardiomyopathy is weakness in the muscle of the heart that is not due to an identifiable external cause. To make a diagnosis of an intrinsic cardiomyopathy, significant coronary artery disease should be ruled out (amongst other things). The term intrinsic cardiomyopathy does not describe the specific Etiology of weakened heart muscle. The intrinsic cardiomyopathies are a mixed-bag of disease states, each with their own causes. Intrinsic cardiomyopathy has a number of causes including Drug and Alcohol toxicity, certain Infection s (including Hepatitis C ), and various Genetic and Idiopathic (i.e. unknown) causes. There are four main types of intrinsic cardiomyopathy:
=Treatment= Treatment depends on the type of cardiomyopathy, but may include medical therapy and implanted Artificial Pacemaker s. The goal of treatment is often symptom relief, with the underlying condition unaffected. 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 . =External links=
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