[Dilated cardiomyopathy--diagnosis and conservative therapy]

Abstract

Diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) is a diagnosis of exclusion. Physical examination of the patient, non-invasive tests and invasive tests have to be done to exclude secondary dilated cardiomyopathies. Treatment can be divided into baseline therapy, established treatment, e.g. ACE-inhibitors, digitalis and diuretics and optional treatment including betablocker, anticoagulation and an natural course of IDC for an individual patient is not clear although there are several prognostic parameters for this disease.