What types of mechanical heart support are used for dilated cardiomyopathy?

In dilated cardiomyopathy the heart muscle weakens and the heart becomes enlarged, leading to the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart being less able to pump blood efficiently. Eventually, the heart is not able to pump enough blood to the body and the lungs become congested - a condition called heart failure. Abnormal heart rhythms may also result when the heart becomes enlarged.

If the heart function in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy continues to deteriorate to a critical level, medications alone may be insufficient. Mechanical measures to support heart function may be used as a bridge to heart transplantation. These are called ventricular assist devices and are surgically attached to the heart itself. Some of these devices create pulsations similar to the native heart. Others propel blood continuously and efficiently, though without pulsations.

In adults, some of these devices can be placed within the body. However, due to the smaller body size of infants and children, these devices sometimes cannot be completely implanted within the body. In some situations, the patient may be placed on a machine called ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). This is a heart-lung bypass machine that supports these organs completely. There are many risks associated with mechanical support of the heart, including severe infections and blood clots.