Dilated CardiomyopathyNancy McDaniel M.D.The heart in this defect has four chambers and four valves. The heart muscle of the main pumping chamber (left ventricle) is weak. The weak muscle often stretches and the pumping chamber becomes larger than normal (dilated). If this condition is mild the child may need no medications but may be limited in physical activity. If the condition is medium or moderate the child will probably have to take medications to strengthen the pumping of the heart and to get rid of any extra water the body retains (diuretics or water pills). The other medicine that is used sometimes lowers the blood pressure in the arteries to make the pumping of the heart easier. The cause of the poor muscle function is usually not known. Sometimes this can come from a virus. Many children have improvement in their heart muscle function over time. Some children with severe weakness whose heart muscle does not recover may be considered for a heart transplant.
 Normal Heart  |