Cardiomyopathy Tests & Treatments at University of Colorado Hospital

Tests for Cardiomyopathy

Cardiac Catheterization

Helps your doctor determine the pressure on the heart and the blood vessels feeding it. The catheterization requires a small tube to be inserted through the artery in the groin and passed through to the heart. An injection of dye allows your doctor to see the pattern of blood flow to and through your heart and determine if there are blockages.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The cardiac MRI uses an intravenous line to inject contrast dye through a vein. The MRI uses radio frequencies, rather than x-rays, to provide detailed pictures of the heart and its capacity to pump blood.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram (ECHO) uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. A stress ECHO is taken while you exercise on a bike or treadmill.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to determine the rate and regularity of your heartbeat. The ECG is administered by attaching wires to your body. The wires detect electrical signals from the heart, which are recorded on a machine for the doctor’s review.

Holter Monitors

Holter monitors are portable ECG units worn by the patient to monitor the heart 24 hours a day.

Exercise Stress Test

To evaluate how well your heart is functioning, your doctor may order an exercise stress test. During this test, you will walk on a treadmill while a machine monitors your:

  • Heart rhythm
  • Blood pressure
  • Other vital signs

Cardiomyopathy Treatments

Sometimes medications can be used to treat cardiomyopathy.

  • ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors reduce pressure on the blood vessels by dilating (widening) them
  • Antibiotics prevent infection of the heart
  • Anti-coagulants help to prevent blood clots from forming
  • Anti-hypertensive drugs help to control high blood pressure
  • Beta blockers slow down the heart rate and can help widen blood vessels
  • Calcium channel blockers help to slow down the heart rate and also lower blood pressure
  • Corticosteroids help to reduce inflammation
  • Digitalis slows down the heart rate and increases the strength of the heart’s contractions
  • Diuretics help to remove excess fluid from the body

Septal Myectomy

Septal myectomy (also called septal myomectomy) is open-heart surgery for people with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the wall separating the chambers of the heart, which restricts blood flow) and severe symptoms. It is generally used in younger patients and when medicines aren't working well.

Ventricular Assist Devices

Ventricular assist devices provide mechanical circulation support for the heart. The implanted devices help the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) to pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The devices may be used:

  • Short term to assist in recovery from surgery
  • As a bridge to assist patients waiting for a new heart
  • for patients whose hearts require long-term pumping help

Heart Transplant Surgery

Heart transplantation is available for patients whose cardiac disease is too severe to be treated with medicine or surgery and whose life expectancy is less than one year.

Pacemaker

A pacemaker helps your heart beat regularly. It is a small generator implanted under the skin. It produces the electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to contract and pump blood to the rest of the body. Surgeons attach the pacemaker to the heart with tiny wires that are run through a chest vein. The wires transmit regular electrical impulses to the heart, just as the healthy body would naturally.

Implanted Cardiovertor Defibrillators

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a pager-sized device implanted in your chest like a pacemaker that detects irregular heart rhythms and “shocks” them back to normal with small electrical impulses.

Septal Ablation

Septal Ablation, also called Alcohol Septal Ablation, is a newer treatment option. In this procedure, alcohol is injected through a catheter into the artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. The alcohol destroys the cells in the thickened tissue, shrinking it and allowing blood to flow more freely.