STUDY OF PHARMACOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY

Dilated Cardiomyopathy represents a significant health problem as it can lead to progressive refractory heart failure and represents the majority of indications for heart transplantations. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart is enlarged, all the chambers are severely dilated and the heart muscle is pale and flabby. A descriptive crosssectional hospital based study was carried out in the patients admitted with dilated cardiomyopathy at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre. The study was carried out for three months from July to October 2014. Structured questionnaire was used as a tool for the collection of information through interview with the patient or caretaker during the hospital stay. The primary data collection included demographic pattern, risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, blood tests, medication pattern. Among the 100 patients, there were 51 male and 49 female. In the study group, 40% of the patients were smokers and 30% of the patients were drinkers, 43% of the patients were associated with either of the disease hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among 49 women, 5 women were associated with peripartum and postpartum dilated cardiomyopathy. All patients were presented with dilation of left ventricle. All patients were treated with loop diuretics and were also treated with Aldosterone antagonist, ACE inhibitors, Beta blockers, inotropic agents, Antiplatelet