Video - Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a form of cardiac disease in which the ventricles are too stiff to relax and contract adequately. This leads to a decrease in the amount of blood pumped to body tissues, which fails to meet metabolic demands. Restrictive cardiomyopathy can present with signs of congestive heart failure, which include dyspnea, fatigue, swelling of the legs and abdomen, chest pain, and low urine output.

Major causes of restrictive cardiomyopathy include sarcoidosis, which involves the formation of granulomas in the heart tissue; amyloidosis, in which misfolded proteins called amyloids deposit in various organs including the heart making them less compliant; and hemochromatosis that's characterized by an excessive iron deposit in the heart tissue, which results in the impaired ventricular filling. There is also endocardial fibroelastosis, which happens when fibrosis develops in the endocardium; and finally, Loeffler's endocarditis, which happens when eosinophils accumulate in the heart tissue. Treatment for restrictive cardiomyopathy is generally aimed at managing symptoms and includes medications such as diuretics, which can help to reduce fluid buildup in the body. In some cases, a heart transplant may be necessary.