DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY - DIAGNOSIS AND TR EATMENT

Diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) is a diagnosis of exclusion. Physical examination of the patient, non-invasive tests and invasive tests have to be done to exclude secondary dilated cardiomyopathies. T reatment can be divided into baseline therapy, established treatment, e.g. ACE-inhibitors, digitalis and diuretics and optional treatment in cluding betablocker, anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic treatment. The natural course of IDC for an individual patient is not clear although there are several prognostic parameters for this disease.