Dilated cardiomyopathy secondary prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD [2]

Overview

Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are recommended to perform lifestyle changes, physical activity, reduce stress, and adhere to their medications. Also, patients with DCM with high risk features for sudden cardiac death are usually referred for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement.

For patients who suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy, the following is recommended:

Follow the same recommendations for primary prevention as lifestyle changes, physical activity, and reducing stress.
Adherence to medications to avoid worsening of the condition.

Also, patients with DCM with high risk features for sudden cardiac death are usually referred for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement.^[1]^[2]

↑ Al-Khatib SM, Fonarow GC, Joglar JA, Inoue L, Mark DB, Lee KL, Kadish A, Bardy G, Sanders GD (June 2017). “Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Patients With Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy: A Meta-analysis”. JAMA Cardiol. 2 (6): 685–688. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2017.0630. PMID 28355432. Vancouver style error: initials (help)
↑ Kadish A, Dyer A, Daubert JP, Quigg R, Estes NA, Anderson KP, Calkins H, Hoch D, Goldberger J, Shalaby A, Sanders WE, Schaechter A, Levine JH (May 2004). “Prophylactic defibrillator implantation in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy”. N. Engl. J. Med. 350 (21): 2151–8. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa033088. PMID 15152060.