Cardiomyopathy may be treated by distributing space-occupying agent within the myocardium in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart, such that the space-modifying agent integrates into and thickens at least part of the
cardiac wall about the chamber so as globally to reduce
wall stress and stabilize or even reduce chamber size. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable
therapeutic effect on cardiac function. Over time the relief of
wall stress reduces
oxygen consumption and promotes healing. Moreover, various long-term therapeutic effects may be realized depending on the properties of the space-occupying agent, including combinations with other therapeutic materials. Specific cardiac conditions treatable by these systems and methods include, for example,
dilated cardiomyopathy (with or without overt aneurismal formations), congestive
heart failure, and ventricular arrhythmias. Patterns of distribution of space-occupying agent within the myocardium for global resizing may also be used or augmented to treat localized conditions such as myocardial infarctions, overt
aneurysm of the
ventricular wall as typically forms in response to large transmural myocardial infarctions, and mitral regurgitation due to a noncompliant
mitral valve. These techniques may also be used to treat localized conditions that may not yet have progressed to
cardiomyopathy.