Cardiomyopathy: Restrictive

Abstract

Restrictive cardiomyopathy refers to either an idiopathic or a secondary myocardial disorder (in the absence of ischemic, hypertensive, valvular, or congenital heart disease) characterized by restrictive filling (Fig. E1 (/nursing/#!/content/derived_clinical_overview/76-s2.0-B978032375570200165X#f0020)). Other features include normal or reduced left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes, and normal or near normal systolic LV and RV function. Pathophysiologically, the myocardium is abnormally stiff, resulting in decreased compliance, abnormal relaxation in diastole, and increased filling pressures leading to enlarged left atria.