Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Alternate Names : Cardiomyopathy - Ischemic, Ischemic Heart Disease
Diagnosis & Tests
The physical examination may be normal, or it may reveal signs of fluid buildup (leg swelling, enlarged liver, "crackles" in the lungs, extra heart sounds, or an elevated pressure in the neck vein). There may be other signs of heart failure.
The diagnosis of this condition is usually made only if a test shows a decreased ejection fraction (the pumping function of the heart). A normal ejection fraction is around 55-65%. Most patients with this disorder have ejection fractions much less than this. Tests used to measure ejection fraction include:
An ECG may show enlargement, previous heart attack, changes to the blood supply to the heart, arrhythmias, or other abnormalities.
A biopsy of the heart is rarely needed to rule out other disorders.
Lab tests that may be used to rule out other disorders and to assess the condition of the heart include:
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