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Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Alternate Names : Cardiomyopathy - Dilated, Congestive Cardiomyopathy
DefinitionDilated cardiomyopathy is a disorder in which the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently. The wall (muscle) of the ventricles may be of normal, increased or reduced thickness, but the ventricular diameter is always enlarged. This causes decreased heart function that affects the lungs, liver, and other body systems.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Dilated cardiomyopathy represents the end result of more than 50 different diseases. Causes of dilated cardiomyopathy include genetic disorders such as Friedreich's ataxia or myotonic dystrophy, myocarditis (a viral infection of the heart muscle), alcoholism, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and others. In many patients, however, a cause cannot be identified, and their cardiomyopathy is considered "idiopathic." Idiopathic cardiomyopathies are likely to be genetically determined.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common of the cardiomyopathies, comprising more than 90% of all cases that are referred to specialized centers.
Symptoms often develop gradually and usually include symptoms of right heart failure, left heart failure, or both.
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• Definition
• Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Symptoms & Signs
• Prevention
• Diagnosis & Tests
• Treatment
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Alcoholism
• Angina - Stable
• Arrhythmias
• Cardiomyopathy
• Digitalis Toxicity
• Heart Failure
• Myocarditis
• Pleural Effusion
• Pulmonary Edema
Tests & Exams
• Blood Pressure
• Chest X-Ray
• Coronary Angiography
• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Myocardial Biopsy
• Nuclear Ventriculography (MUGA or RNV)
• Thoracic CT
Surgery & Procedures
• Heart Transplant
Other Topics
• Blood Pressure - Low
• Breathing Difficulty
• Breathing Difficulty - Lying Down
• Cardiovascular
• Chest Pain
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Heart Murmurs and Other Sounds
• Heartbeat Sensations
• Hepatomegaly
• Muscle Cramps
• Physical Examination
• Swelling
• Urine Output - Decreased
• Weight Gain - Unintentional
Review Date : 5/9/2002
Reviewed By : Elena Sgarbossa, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Ctr., Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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