Immune Globulin

Posted By  CCF CARDIO MD sc on November 13, 1997 at 12:18:50:

In Reply to: Immune Globulin posted by Sue G. on October 26, 1997 at 19:33:05:

: Do you have any info re: the use of Immune Globulin in the treatment
  of dialated cardiomyopathy?  Is this used for other medical
  conditions?

[CCF Cardio MD sc]

_
Dear Sue G.
Congestive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy affects more than 2 million people in the United States. In about 50% of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy the condition is primary and the cause of the cardiac muscle dysfunction is obscure. Studies in experimental animals and patients with idiopathic  dilated cardiomyopathy suggests that a viral infection may be involved, but that an abnormal response of the body to the infection is what causes the heart muscle dysfunction. It is this supposed auto-immune response to a viral infection that has lead to the use of immune-globulin in the treatment of new onset of dilated cardiomyopathy in an attempt to modulate this immune reaction. The first report  of its use came from the pediatric population and this was followed by a paper published in