[Therapy and course of dilated cardiomyopathy].
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a primary myocardial disease of unknown origin. The typical findings are severe systolic pump failure and dilatation of all cardiac chambers with severe cardiomegaly. Clinical symptomatology is determined by myocardial dysfunction with congestive heart failure. Cardiomegaly and arrhythmia may precede clinical symptoms of congestive heart failure by years. Medical therapy is based on classical treatment of congestive heart failure with digitalis and diuretics; recently, afterload-reducing agents, such as converting enzyme inhibitors, have become the drug of choice for patients with severe congestive heart failure. Antiarrhythmic therapy is necessary in the presence of severe arrhythmia, and anticoagulation is indicated when a low-output state or atrial fibrillation are present. Clinical course in dilated cardiomyopathy is usually poor and 5-year survival is 38% in our group.