Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

At the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care, you can access exceptional care for arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. As a global leader in cardiovascular medicine and surgery, we are an academic-based, national and international referral site for high-risk and complex cases. For more than a century, we have been at the forefront in treating heart disease.

Ranked in the top one percent of all hospitals in the nation for Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery according to U.S. News & World Report, our specialists are passionate about uncovering the latest diagnostic approaches and treatments that can improve outcomes. Backed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, Montefiore Einstein continues to make advances in the treatment of heart disease. In recent years, we have expanded our programs in advanced cardiac imaging, heart failure and interventional cardiovascular medicine and assembled a world-renowned cardiothoracic surgical team.

When you trust us with your care, you can expect compassionate, personalized treatment plans that meet the highest standards for quality and safety. In addition, we offer patients a full choice of support services, from nutritional guidance to rehabilitative therapies.

When you need arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy care, turn to our dedicated providers who will develop a highly personalized treatment plan specific to you.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is very common and can affect people of any age. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects men and women equally, and about 1 out of every 500 people has the disease.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy happens when the heart muscle enlarges and thickens without an obvious cause. Usually the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart, and septum (the wall that separates the left and right side of the heart) thicken. The thickened areas create narrowing or blockages in the ventricles, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy also can cause stiffness of the ventricles, changes in the mitral valve, and cellular changes in the heart tissue.

Dilated cardiomyopathy develops when the ventricles enlarge and weaken. The condition usually starts in the left ventricle and over time can affect the right ventricle. The weakened chambers of the heart don’t pump effectively, causing the heart muscle to work harder. Over time, the heart loses the ability to pump blood effectively. Dilated cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure, heart valve disease, irregular heart rate, and blood clots in the heart.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy develops when the ventricles become stiff and rigid but the walls of the heart do not thicken. As a result, the ventricles do not relax and don’t fill with the normal blood volume. As the disease progresses, the ventricles do not pump as well and the heart muscle weakens. Over time, restrictive cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure and problems with the heart valves.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is a rare type of cardiomyopathy that occurs when the muscle tissue in the right ventricle is replaced with fatty or fibrous tissue. This can lead to disruptions in the heart’s electrical signals and causes arrhythmias. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia usually affects teens or young adults and can cause sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.

Other types of cardiomyopathy are grouped into this category and can include:

• Left ventricular noncompaction happens when the left ventricle has trabeculations, projections of muscle inside the ventricle.
• Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome, happens when extreme stress leads to heart muscle failure. Though rare, this condition is more common in post-menopausal women.

Syndicated Content Details:

Source URL: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/subscribe/4042

Source Agency: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Captured Date: 2016-03-14 20:09:00.0