creation date: 2025-10-21 23:34
tags: Pathologies
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Background
Definitions
Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) refers to a heart muscle disease characterized by an impaired ability to pump blood properly due to myocardial damage from ischemia.
Etiology and Pathogenesis
Coronary artery disease is the primary cause of ICM. The lack of sufficient blood supply results in cell death, fibrosis, left ventricular enlargement, and remodelling.
As the left ventricle becomes injured, its systolic function decreases and ejection fraction drops, leading to congestive heart failure.
Clinical Presentation
Presentation consist of:
- Long standing coronary artery disease
- Findings of congestive heart failure as disease progresses
Diagnosis
Criteria
Work-up
Workup is consistent with that of CAD.
Differential
Ischemic cardiopathy may result in or have concurrent:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Other diagnoses include:
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Beriberi (thiamine deficiency)
- Cardiac tamponade
- Heavy metal toxicity
- Late-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Myocarditis
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Red Flags / Complications
Management
See: