Dilated cardiomyopathy | |
---|---|
Other names | Congestive cardiomyopathy, idiopathic cardiomyopathy, primary cardiomyopathy[1] |
Mouse heart slice showing dilated cardiomyopathy | |
Specialty | Cardiology |
Symptoms | Feeling tired, leg swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting[2] |
Complications | Heart failure, heart valve disease, irregular heartbeat[3][4] |
Usual onset | Middle age[5] |
Types | Tachycardia-induced,[6][7] others |
Causes | Genetics, alcohol, cocaine, certain toxins, complications of pregnancy, in many cases the cause remains unclear, certain infections[8][9][7] |
Diagnostic method | Supported by electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, echocardiogram[9] |
Differential diagnosis | Coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, pulmonary embolism, other cardiomyopathy[5] |
Treatment | Lifestyle changes, medications, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), heart transplant[9] |
Medication | ACE inhibitor, beta blocker, diuretic, blood thinners[9] |
Prognosis | Five-year survival rate ~50%[9] |
Frequency | 1 in 2500[9] |
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood effectively.[3] Symptoms vary from none to feeling tired, leg swelling, and shortness of breath.[2] It may also result in chest pain or fainting.[2] Complications can include heart failure, heart valve disease, or an irregular heartbeat.[3][4]
Causes include genetics, alcohol, cocaine, certain toxins, complications of pregnancy, and certain infections.[8][9] Coronary artery disease and high blood pressure may play a role, but are not the primary cause.[5][8] In many cases the cause remains unclear.[8] It is a type of cardiomyopathy, a group of diseases that primarily affects the heart muscle.[3] The diagnosis may be supported by an electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, or echocardiogram.[9]
In those with heart failure, treatment may include medications in the ACE inhibitor, beta blocker, and diuretic families.[9] A low salt diet may also be helpful.[5] In those with certain types of irregular heartbeat, blood thinners or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator may be recommended. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may be necessary.[9] If other measures are not effective a heart transplant may be an option in some.[9]
About 1 per 2,500 people is affected.[9] It occurs more frequently in men than women.[10] Onset is most often in middle age.[5] Five-year survival rate is about 50%.[9] It can also occur in children and is the most common type of cardiomyopathy in this age group.[9]
Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is a reversible cause of heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy should be considered in all patients with a dilated cardiomyopathy of uncertain origin and who have tachycardia or atrial fibrillation with a fast ventricular rate.
Tachy2003
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).