Immunosuppression for Dilated Cardiomyopathy

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Abstract
The diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy is made when left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction, with normal wall thickness, occur in the absence of coronary artery, valvular, or pericardial disease.1 The right ventricle is also often involved. The natural history of the disease varies from a course progressing to death within 2 years in 50 percent of afflicted patients2 to survival for more than 10 years in 25 percent. The incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy is increasing; at least 11,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. The traditional approach to therapy includes cardiac glycosides and diuretics. Although increased . . .