Treatment for right ventricular hypertrophy varies from patient to patient and depends on the underlying causes of this condition. Prescription medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics may be used to treat some symptoms associated with this disorder. Implantable devices such as a pacemaker or defibrillator may be used to regulate the heartbeat. In more severe situations, surgical intervention, or even heart transplantation, may be needed in order to successfully treat the condition. As there is no standardized treatment for this condition, any questions or concerns about the treatment of right ventricular hypertrophy in an individual situation should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.
Prescription medications may be used to treat specific conditions associated with right ventricular hypertrophy. Some of these conditions include bronchitis, blood clots in the lungs, and high blood pressure. Diuretics may be used to help eliminate extra fluid from the body, and ACE inhibitors or beta blockers are commonly prescribed to help control blood pressure levels. Additional medications may be used as necessary to treat individual symptoms as they develop.
A pacemaker or implantable defibrillator may be needed by some patients who are diagnosed with this condition. Each of these devices requires surgery, although the procedures are usually considered to be minimally invasive and do not involve a long period of recovery. Both the pacemaker and defibrillator are used to regulate heart rhythms, and the surgeon will decide which of the devices is most appropriate for a specific situation.
Open heart surgery may be used as a treatment method for right ventricular hypertrophy if there is severe damage to the heart or if less invasive methods of treatment have not been successful. This type of surgical procedure may be used to repair heart valves, remove blockages, or treat any damage to the heart or surrounding structures. There are significant risks associated with open heart surgery, so other options are explored before this method is chosen.
Heart transplant is used as a last resort type of treatment for those with right ventricular hypertrophy and is used only when damage to the heart has become so severe that the life of the patient can no longer be supported. A heart-lung machine may be used for a limited amount of time until a donor heart becomes available. Following the transplant, medications will need to be taken daily for the remainder of life in order to reduce the chances of organ rejection.