Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy : My 79-year-old father was diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy one year ago. His ejection fraction is 20%. He is on Vasotec, Lanoxin, and Lasix. He was tried on Coreg but could only go to 6.25mg/day. His heart rate dropped to 40 bpm and he had chest pain and irregular rhythm, so they discontinued it. When my father was admitted with CHF to the hospital a year ago, he was given the information that his life expectancy was 6 days, 6 weeks, or 6 months. He has outlived all these! He is extremely fatigued, short of breath on any exertion, and has only the energy to go to church in the morning then comes home and stays in bed the rest of the day. My question is: Is there a better treatment than he is on; and, what does the future hold for him regarding this disease. Does it get progressively worse? Can he stay the way he is now indefinitely? Would appreciate any answers you can give me. Picabo
_____- Dear Carol: Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiomyopathy in the United States. It is characterized by ventricular dilatation, contractile dysfunction and symptoms of congestive heart failure Unfortunately, symptomatic patients, have a poor prognosis. The statistics indicate that approximately 25% of affected patients succumb within a year of diagnosis; 50% succumb within five years; and 25% improve. Treatment consists of ACE inhibitors, digoxin, diuretics and possibly beta blockers. Patients are encouraged to avoid alcohol which may worsen cardiac function. These are general guidelines and treatment must be individualized. I hope that this information proves useful. If you would like to seek evaluation at the Cleveland Clinic, an appointment can be arranged by calling 1-800-CCF-CARE. | |
