Cardiomyopathy
Her EF has fallen from 40% to 20% with a fast rate and no other cause, which suggests tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy that can recover if sinus rhythm is restored.
What our notes say
- Her EF has fallen from 40% to 20% with a fast rate and no other cause, which suggests tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy that can recover if sinus rhythm is restored. (Clinical Pharmacology I (MBPL 4400) main exam: 25 January 2023)
- All of the following are aetiologies for dilated cardiomyopathy EXCEPT: (Junior Clerkship in Internal Medicine (MBIM4100) main exam, Paper One: 31 Januar)
- Metabolic, viral and ischaemic causes of dilated cardiomyopathy are standard. (Junior Clerkship in Internal Medicine (MBIM4100) main exam, Paper One: 31 Januar)
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy murmurs get louder with Valsalva and are less likely to radiate to the carotids. (Cardiology Question Bank: 15 Clinical MCQs)
- Mrs A, 52, adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy and chronic heart failure on captopril, bisoprolol, furosemide and spironolactone (Clinical Pharmacology I (MBPL 4400) main exam: 25 January 2023)
- Hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy (including HIV, peripartum, alcohol, and dilated cardiomyopathy of unknown cause), anaemia, thyroid disease, pericardial disease. (Heart failure: which tests and why)
Study material on Cardiomyopathy
- CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY
- 🫀 MISSING TOPICS — ULTRA DEEP NOTES
- Cardiovascular system examination revised 2012
- CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY
- Comprehensive Heart Pathology Notes 🫀
- CVS History & Physical Exam: Symptoms, Chest Pain & Syncope
- Cancer Pharmacology: Cell Cycle, Oncogenes & Drug Targets
- Heart Pathology: Comprehensive Short Notes
- Essential Cardiovascular Pathology: Atherosclerosis to Endoc
- Heart failure: which tests and why
Images
Practice questions on Cardiomyopathy
A 78-year-old obese woman has 5 years of dyspnea, elevated CRP, LDL, and BNP, pulmonary edema, and segmental wall motion abnormalities on echo. Most likely cardiomyopathy?
- Alcoholic
- Arrhythmogenic
- Hypertrophic
- Ischemic
Answer: D. Obesity + elevated CRP and LDL + segmental (not global) wall motion abnormalities = ischemic cardiomyopathy from coronary artery disease causing patchy infarction and dysfunction. ---
Pathological examination of a myocardial biopsy from a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) would MOST likely show which of the following?
- Myofiber disarray with hypertrophied myocytes and interstitial fibrosis
- Diffuse myocyte hypertrophy with interstitial fibrosis and no disarray
- Extensive inflammatory infiltrate with giant cells and myocyte necrosis
- Widespread myocyte necrosis with minimal inflammation and no fibrosis
- Myocyte atrophy with extensive amyloid deposition
Answer: B. Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by myocyte hypertrophy, myocyte loss, and interstitial fibrosis, leading to ventricular dilation and impaired systolic function.
66-year-old female, T2DM, exertional dyspnea, EF preserved (55%), impaired diastolic filling. Best explanation? - Classic **HFpEF** picture in diabetes: diabetic cardiomyopathy causes myocardial fibrosis/hypertrophy → stiff, poorly compliant ventricle → impaired relaxation despite preserved EF ---
- Pericardial constriction limiting ventricular filling
- Severe aortic stenosis reducing stroke volume
- Myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy causing impaired ventricular relaxation
- Dilated cardiomyopathy with global systolic dysfunction
- Mitral regurgitation causing left atrial dilation
Answer: C.