what is the cause and futrue line of treatment

my husband who is 44 yrs had a complete heart block  in the month of August 2010  With no exact cause identified, the Doctor described his case as ‘idiopathic’ and recommended a pacemaker to regulate his heart rate. He was fitted with a dual chamber rate responsive  Pacemaker .

It is relevant to mention here that there is no history of heart ailment in the family of my husband and the ECG done incidentally in the month of January 2010 (when he met with an accident and had a trimellular fracture on his left leg) was normal.

For eight to nine months subsequent to this, my husband did not have any problem except increased heart beat even when he was relaxed and at rest since  december 2010 which was reported to the Doctor, but the ‘symptom’ was termed as normal and  nothing to worry as such.

In the last week of May 2011, my husband again complained of breathlessness and had to be hospitalised on 31/05/2011 with “severe LV Dysfunction (EF – 30%)”. The Doctors yet again failed to detect the exact cause of this condition and was “diagnosed as CCF – Idiopathic dialated cardiomyopathy, SR, severe LV dysfunction”. He was discharged from the hospital on 08/06/2011 with his condition stable and “improved symptomatically” (with no procedure done).   The doctor has asked him to be on complete rest and put him on medication .

Can you pls guide me  with  the treatment and  cure for this

[ed34]

Just wondering if the skin was broken at the time of the fracture? I am wondering if bacterial infection could have been the cause, and these are not always easy to discover. In January this year it was published that there are even some bacteria in soft cheeses and chilled ready made meals that carry a bacteria which can attack the heart. It is mild for most people, but obviously there are always exceptions who are affected a lot more.

[jrbon]

Answering your direct question, I am afraid that "dilated cardiomyopathy" (DCM) is a situation that, as per today, has no total cure, however it is manageable in most of the cases.

The advice that I can give you are:

1) Look for a doc with experience in DCM or in heart failure.
2) Follow strictly his meds and indicated style of life.
3) Be sure to have periodical checks with cardiac echos to see the evolution of the disease.
4) Reduce the salt intake.
5) Suppress smoke and alcohol.
6) As you asked, in general, the treatment is likely to include ACE Inhibitors, Betablokers and Diuretics. Of course the specifics and doses has to be defined by your doctor. So do not worry if you find yourself handling multiple pills per day.

I am sure that soon he will feel better!!

If you again gets doubts or worries, do not doubt to come back to this place, we will try to help.

Jesus