Effects of immunoadsorption and subsequent immunoglobulin G substitution on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Recent data indicate that cardiac antibodies play an active role in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and may contribute to cardiac dysfunction in patients with DCM. The present study investigated the influence of immunoadsorption with subsequent immunoglobulin G substitution (IA/IgG) on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with DCM.

Methods: Sixty patients with DCM (New York Heart Association II-IV, left ventricular ejection fraction < or =45%) were included in this single-center university hospital-based case-control study.