Ischemiaoccurs when the heart does not receive adequate blood supply to function properly.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy(ICM) refers to an enlarged, poorly pumping heart resulting from ischemia-induced damage.

The heart also requires oxygen-rich blood supplied by thecoronary arteries.

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (ICM)

Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health

This clot can then partially or completely block blood flow to the heart muscle, resulting in aheart attack.

What Is the Left Ventricle?

A low ejection fraction is a sign of left ventricular dysfunction, calledsystolic heart failure.

Even more, heart muscle damage might be recoverable with revascularization strategies.

Revascularization refers to restoring blood supply to the injured heart muscle.

The catheter is threaded towards the heart until it reaches the blocked coronary artery.

The balloon is then inflated, pushing the plaque against the artery’s wall.

An expandable tube called astentis placed inside the artery to keep it open for blood flow.

CABGis an inpatient operation performed by acardiothoracic surgeon.

Diuretics help rid the body of extra fluid in the feet, legs, and abdomen.

The treatment of ICM is complex, requiring a step-wise, individualized approach.

One key strategy, if possible, is revascularization (restoring blood flow to the heart).

Devices implanted underneath the skin to prevent cardiac arrest and improve heart failure prognosis are also considered.

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