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Dilated cardiomyopathy

Definition:
Dilated 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.

Alternative Names:

Cardiomyopathy - dilated; Congestive cardiomyopathy



Causes, incidence, and 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.



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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