Cardiomyopathy (dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive) are diseases with structural and functional changes of hearth muscle, often characterized by progressive course. Although the main cause in unknown, there are numerous factors known to contribute to the development of cardiomyopathy. There are more and more young patients having this disease in recent years (
Nurse’s /technician’s role in management of patient with cardiomyopathy is crucial not only during the hospital stay but also after the discharge from healthcare institution. Nurse is a patient’s advocate, estimating his needs and helping him to meet them. She/he advocates for the implementation of the plans after the hospital stay. Nurse is helping patients to improve their self-management skills or /and helping family in providing support to patient.
We present the case of 34-year-old patient hospitalized in Cardiology ward under diagnosis of chronic breathlessness with minimal exertion, with anasarca, where underlying condition probably was respiratory tract infection (viral pneumonia) consequently resulting in heart failure. Echocardiography showed dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction (EFLV around 15%). All tests are indicative for viral myocarditis as an ethological and pathophysiological mechanism of dilated cardiomyopathy, antibodies (IgM and IgG) against CMV and IgG against EBV were detected in blood. During his stay, with adequate care and optimal therapy for heart failure, significant clinical improvement was reached, patient felt better, and he was released home with plan for receiving immunoglobulins in further course of treatment.