Ace the Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam 2025 – Pump Up Your Success!

When dilated cardiomyopathy is considered ischemic, it is essential to evaluate the coronary arteries because ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy often results from inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle, typically due to coronary artery disease. The reduced blood flow can lead to myocardial dysfunction and subsequently cause dilation of the ventricles, impacting cardiac output and overall function.

Assessing the coronary arteries helps determine if there are any blockages or significant stenosis that could be contributing to the reduced perfusion and heart function. Interventions such as angioplasty or bypass surgery may be necessary depending on the findings, which could significantly improve the patient's condition. Evaluating other structures like the pulmonary arteries, aortic valves, or venous circulation is important in a broader cardiac assessment, but they do not directly relate to the underlying ischemic process in the context of dilated cardiomyopathy.