Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Alternative names:

cardiomyopathy - restrictive; infiltrative cardiomyopathy

Definition:

A group of disorders of the heart muscle, in which the heart chambers are unable to fill properly and cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function will affect the lungs, liver, and other body systems.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a form of cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). It affects approximately 1 out of 1000 people. In children, dilated cardiomyopathy is more common than restrictive cardiomyopathy.

The most frequent causes are amyloidosis, radiation to the chest, and fibrosis (scarring) after open heart surgery. Loeffler's syndrome causes fibrosis of the lining of the heart. Sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, carcinoid syndrome, and connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma may also cause a restrictive type of cardiomyopathy.