Long-term treatment of ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with continuous positive airway pressure.
An 81-year-old man with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy complained of frequently awakening from sleep due to choking; subsequent polysomnography revealed Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) with sleep apnea. With continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) through a nasal mask, both the CSR and symptoms disappeared. After 6-12 months, chest X-ray and echocardiographic findings continued to improve without any change in pharmacological treatment. For three years, CPAP had been effective to eliminate CSR during sleep. Long-term CPAP treatment, which is rarely applied for congestive heart failure in Japan, is useful in alleviating the adverse effects of CSR and, thereby, maintaining a good quality of life in these patients.
Yasuma
F
F
Department of Internal Medicine, Suzuka National Hospital, Mie.
Ogihara
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D017286:Polysomnography; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome