Definition

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare condition, in which ventricular filling is impaired because the ventricles are ‘stiff.’ This leads to high atrial pressures with atrial hypertrophy, dilatation, and later atrial fibrillation.

Investigations

• Doppler echocardiography.
• CT or MRI.
• Endomyocardial biopsy.

Treatment

Symptomatic but the prognosis is usually poor and transplantation may be indicated.