Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States accounting for 801,000 deaths annually, 2200 deaths daily, and a death every 40s. It causes more deaths than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory tract disease combined. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of and attributed for 45% of all cardiovascular deaths. Further, CAD accounts for 790,000 myocardial infarctions annually, approximately one every 40s. Typically, patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy have CAD with or without a past history of myocardial infarction. Ischemic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause for sudden cardiac death that affects 350,000 Americans annually. In this article we will characterize the transition from CAD to ischemic cardiomyopathy and address its prevention, diagnosis, and management.