Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the walls of the heart become thick and rigid. The heart is then not able to fill with a normal amount of blood.
In a person with restrictive cardiomyopathy, the muscle in the walls of the heart becomes thickened and less elastic. The heart then cannot fill with blood properly. Blood can, in effect, "back up" into the lungs and the rest of the body. This can lead to failure of the heart to pump the blood it receives - a condition termed congestive heart failure.
Symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy occur mostly because of the blood backing up in the lungs and other parts of the body. These symptoms may include: shortness of breath or trouble breathingswelling of the veins in the neck and the legs swelling in the abdomen, known as ascitesabdominal distressheart murmurs, or abnormal soundsliver enlargement
When the cause of the heart muscle thickening is unknown, this condition is called primary restrictive cardiomyopathy. However, other diseases can cause this condition. These cases are called secondary restrictive cardiomyopathy. Examples of causes include: amyloidosis, a condition caused by abnormal protein deposits that can affect the heart and many other areas of the bodysarcoidosis, a condition that causes inflammation in many areas of the body for unknown reasonsinherited conditionshemochromatosis, a condition caused by too much iron in the body. The extra iron is deposited into the heart and other organs.Loffler's syndrome, a condition caused by an abnormally high number of certain blood cells. These cells can cause damage to the heart and other organs.endomyocardial fibrosis, a disease of unknown cause that results in scarring of the heartradiationhypertrophic cardiomyopathycarcinoid heart disease - This is a type of "meastasis" that occurs from a tumor in the small intestine
In some cases, the cause cannot be found.
In most cases, nothing can be done to prevent restrictive cardiomyopathy. Prevention is related to the cause. Early treatment of sarcoidosis and hemochromatosis may help prevent some cases.
Diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy begins with a history and physical exam. The healthcare provider may order a variety of tests, including: an electrocardiogram (ECG) a chest x-rayan echocardiogram, a test that uses ultrasound waves to view the heartother imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI
A biopsy of the inside of the heart is often needed to confirm the diagnosis. A heart biopsy is carried out as part of a procedure called cardiac catheterization.. This involves inserting a tube through the skin and into an artery, usually in the groin. The tube is moved forward in the artery until it reaches the heart. A small tool can be passed through the tube to remove a small piece of heart muscle. This piece can be sent to the lab for further examination and testing.
Congestive heart failure almost always occurs in this condition. Restrictive cardiomyopathy often has a very poor outcome and commonly causes death.
There are no risks to others.
There are few treatments for restrictive cardiomyopathy. Treatment is directed at the cause, when possible, to prevent further heart damage. For example, a person with hemochromatosis often needs to have his or her blood filtered by a machine to remove excess iron.
Medications called diuretics ("water" pills), and other heart medications are used to treat the congestive heart failure. Medications to suppress the immune system can help delay heart damage in many cases. This kind of treatment does not offer a cure.
In unusual cases, surgery to remove some of the scarred heart tissue may improve symptoms. For cases that fail to respond to these measures, a heart transplant may be the only option.
Side effects depend on the treatment used. Diuretics and heart medications can cause allergic reactions, salt imbalances, stomach upset, and other effects. Medications that suppress the immune system can result in infections, kidney or liver damage, and other effects.
Surgery can be complicated by bleeding, infection, or an allergic reactions to the anesthetic. A heart transplant is a high-risk operation, and if successful, the body's immune system may still reject the new heart.
A person with restrictive cardiomyopathy will need lifelong treatment.
The person will work together with the healthcare provider to monitor symptoms, the effects of treatment, and medications. This often involves blood tests and repeated imaging tests of the heart. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider, typically a cardiologist.
Merck Manual 1999
Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 1996
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 1991
Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, Braunwald, E., 1980
