eMedicine Specialties > Cardiology > Myocardial Disease and Cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive: Follow-up

Author: Vivek J Goswami, MD, Cardiologist, Austin Heart, PA
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 9, 2008

Follow-up

Prognosis

The course of restrictive cardiomyopathy varies depending on the pathology, and treatment is often unsatisfactory.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • All causes of diastolic dysfunction are included in the differential diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). Establishing the diagnosis of RCM, and excluding constrictive pericarditis, is imperative.
  • The etiology of RCM has been confused with constrictive pericarditis because patients can present with findings typical of constrictive pericarditis but they may actually have RCM. In the past, diagnosis of RCM was often made during surgery. Now, with wider knowledge of clinical findings and better imaging techniques, correct diagnosis can be strongly suggested and exploratory surgery can be avoided. The final diagnosis is most commonly made on biopsy of fat tissue, such as abdominal wall fat.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Sarath Reddy, MD; Alan Forker, MD; Gunateet Goswami, MD; and Nafisa Kuwajerwala, MD to the development and writing of this article.



More on Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive

Overview: Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive
Treatment & Medication: Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive
Follow-up: Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive
References
[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

References

  1. Leya FS, Arab D, Joyal D, Shioura KM, Lewis BE, Steen LH, et al. The efficacy of brain natriuretic peptide levels in differentiating constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol. Jun 7 2005;45(11):1900-2. [Medline].

  2. Applefeld MM, Wiernik PH. Cardiac disease after radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease: analysis of 48 patients. Am J Cardiol. Jun 1983;51(10):1679-81. [Medline].

  3. Bonow RO, Udelson JE. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction as a cause of congestive heart failure. Mechanisms and management. Ann Intern Med. Sep 15 1992;117(6):502-10. [Medline].

  4. Brosius FC 3rd, Waller BF, Roberts WC. Radiation heart disease. Analysis of 16 young (aged 15 to 33 years) necropsy patients who received over 3,500 rads to the heart. Am J Med. Mar 1981;70(3):519-30. [Medline].

  5. Burstow DJ, Tajik AJ, Bailey KR, et al. Two-dimensional echocardiographic findings in systemic sarcoidosis. Am J Cardiol. Feb 15 1989;63(7):478-82. [Medline].

  6. Falk RH, Comenzo RL, Skinner M. The systemic amyloidoses. N Engl J Med. Sep 25 1997;337(13):898-909. [Medline].

  7. Katritsis D, Wilmshurst PT, Wendon JA, et al. Primary restrictive cardiomyopathy: clinical and pathologic characteristics. J Am Coll Cardiol. Nov 1 1991;18(5):1230-5. [Medline].

  8. Klein AL, Cohen GI, Pietrolungo JF, et al. Differentiation of constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy by Doppler transesophageal echocardiographic measurements of respiratory variations in pulmonary venous flow. J Am Coll Cardiol. Dec 1993;22(7):1935-43. [Medline].

  9. Klein AL, Hatle LK, Burstow DJ, et al. Doppler characterization of left ventricular diastolic function in cardiac amyloidosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. Apr 1989;13(5):1017-26. [Medline].

  10. Kushwaha SS, Fallon JT, Fuster V. Restrictive cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med. Jan 23 1997;336(4):267-76. [Medline].

  11. Lewis AB. Clinical profile and outcome of restrictive cardiomyopathy in children. Am Heart J. Jun 1992;123(6):1589-93. [Medline].

  12. Miller S, Riessen R. [MR imaging in cardiomyopathies]. Rofo. Nov 2005;177(11):1497-505. [Medline].

  13. Rochitte CE, Tassi EM, Shiozaki AA. The emerging role of MRI in the diagnosis and management of cardiomyopathies. Curr Cardiol Rep. Feb 2006;8(1):44-52. [Medline].

  14. Shammas RL, Movahed A. Sarcoidosis of the heart. Clin Cardiol. Jun 1993;16(6):462-72. [Medline].

  15. Sharma OP, Maheshwari A, Thaker K. Myocardial sarcoidosis. Chest. Jan 1993;103(1):253-8. [Medline].

  16. Valantine HA, Appleton CP, Hatle LK, et al. A hemodynamic and Doppler echocardiographic study of ventricular function in long-term cardiac allograft recipients. Etiology and prognosis of restrictive-constrictive physiology. Circulation. Jan 1989;79(1):66-75. [Medline].

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Further Reading

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Keywords

restrictive cardiomyopathy, RCM, myocardium, Loeffler's endocarditis, chronic endomyocardial fibrosis, diastolic heart failure, primary amyloidosis, eosinophilic, hemochromatosis, glycogen storage disease

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Vivek J Goswami, MD, Cardiologist, Austin Heart, PA
Vivek J Goswami, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, and Illinois State Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Gary E Sander, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center
Gary E Sander, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, American Society of Hypertension, Heart Failure Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Frank M Sheridan, MD, Cardiology, Providence Everett Medical Center
Frank M Sheridan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Amer Suleman, MD, Consultant in Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Medical City Dallas Hospital
Amer Suleman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, American Institute of Stress, American Society of Hypertension, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Royal Society of Medicine, and Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Patrice Delafontaine, MD, FACC, FAHA, FACP, FESC, Sidney W and Marilyn S Lassen Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chief, Section of Cardiology, Director, Cardiovascular Center of Excellence, Tulane University; Professor of Physiology, Chair, Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine
Patrice Delafontaine, MD, FACC, FAHA, FACP, FESC is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Clinical Investigation, Association of American Physicians, Association of Professors of Cardiology, Association of Professors of Medicine, Endocrine Society, European Society of Cardiology, Louisiana State Medical Society, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.