Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Also written as DCM.
All of the following are aetiologies for dilated cardiomyopathy EXCEPT:
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Genetic defect, viral infection, or toxin $\rightarrow$ Progressive myocyte necrosis and interstitial fibrosis $\rightarrow$ Sarcomere slippage with eccentric ventricular remodeling $\rightarrow$ Left ventricular chamber enlargement with th
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Most common cardiomyopathy
- All 4 chambers dilated, systolic dysfunction (↓EF)
- Causes: ABCDE — Alcohol, Beriberi, Coxsackievirus B, Drugs (doxorubicin), Ectopic (peripartum), also Chagas (Trypanosoma cruzi)
- Presents: Progressive HF, S3 gallop, MR/TR (dilated annuli)
Read this in Comprehensive Heart Pathology Notes 🫀
What our notes say
- 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)
- dilated Cardiomyopathy) or when ventricular stroke volume is increased due to a leaking heart valve. (Cardiovascular system examination revised 2012 — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- 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)
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): Ventricular dilation accompanied by impaired systolic contraction (reduced left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF < 40%]). (Cardiomyopathies)
- Family history: Inquire specifically about unexplained premature death or sudden cardiac arrest in first-degree relatives under 40 years (familial dilated cardiomyopathy [DCM], HCM, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy [ARVC]). (Cardiomyopathies)
Study material on Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiomyopathies
- 🫀 MISSING TOPICS — ULTRA DEEP NOTES
- Comprehensive Heart Pathology Notes 🫀
- CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY
- Heart Pathology: Comprehensive Short Notes
- CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY
- Cardiovascular syste.m yr 3 — Past Paper Questions & Answers
Practice questions on Dilated Cardiomyopathy
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.