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Dilated cardiomyopathy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD[2]; Sachin Shah, M.D.

Synonyms and keywords: Congestive cardiomyopathy; DCM

Overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-in-Chief: Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD[2]; Sachin Shah, M.D.

Overview

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined by the presence of left ventricular (LV) or biventricular dilatation with systolic dysfunction in the absence of abnormal loading conditions (e.g., primary valve disease, uncontrolled hypertension) or significant coronary artery disease sufficient to cause the observed ventricular remodeling. The American Heart Association defines DCM as a spectrum of heterogeneous myocardial disorders characterized by ventricular dilation and depressed myocardial performance in the absence of hypertension, valvular, congenital, or ischemic heart disease.

This conventional definition has been recognized as overly restrictive, because LV hypokinesis without dilatation can represent the initial presentation of DCM. The 2023 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Cardiomyopathy Guidelines introduced the entity of non-dilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy (NDLVC), defined by non-ischemic LV scarring, fatty replacement, or isolated global hypokinesia without LV dilatation. DCM and NDLVC may represent a continuum, with approximately 29% of NDLVC patients progressing to a DCM phenotype over long-term follow-up.

DCM is one of the most common causes of heart failure and the leading indication for heart transplantation worldwide, with a revised prevalence estimate of approximately 1:220 to 1:250 — far higher than the classic 1:2,500 figure. In pediatric populations, the diagnosis requires body-size-adjusted LV dimensions (z-scores > 2) with reduced systolic function.

Historical Perspective

The understanding of DCM has evolved substantially over the past five decades. The WHO/ISFC initially classified it in 1980 as a “heart muscle disorder of unknown cause,” a definition that persisted through the 1995 revision. The AHA 2006 Scientific Statement reclassified cardiomyopathies by etiology (genetic vs. acquired), while the ESC 2008 Position Statement organized them by morphology and hemodynamics. The most recent milestone is the 2023 ESC Cardiomyopathy Guidelines, which formally introduced NDLVC as a distinct entity and refined the phenotypic classification of left ventricular cardiomyopathies.

Therapeutically, the field has progressed from an era of limited options (digoxin, diuretics) through the sequential introduction of ACE inhibitors (1980s–1990s), beta-blockers (1990s–2000s), MRAs, device therapy (ICD, CRT), ARNI (PARADIGM-HF, 2014), and most recently SGLT2 inhibitors (DAPA-HF 2019, EMPEROR-Reduced 2020), establishing the modern four-pillar GDMT paradigm. Concurrently, advances in molecular genetics have transformed DCM from a largely “idiopathic” diagnosis to one with identifiable genetic causes in 25–40% of familial cases.

Pathophysiology

DCM results from diverse molecular insults that converge on a final common pathway of adverse ventricular remodeling — progressive chamber dilatation, eccentric hypertrophy, and systolic dysfunction. Key mechanisms include sarcomeric and cytoskeletal protein dysfunction (e.g., titin truncation, lamin A/C haploinsufficiency), neurohormonal activation (RAAS, sympathetic nervous system, natriuretic peptide system), calcium handling abnormalities, inflammatory and immune-mediated myocardial injury, metabolic derangements, and progressive myocardial fibrosis (both replacement and interstitial).

Fibrosis is a critical substrate for both mechanical dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmias; CMR-detected late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) ≥7.1–7.5% of LV mass independently predicts sudden cardiac death. Genetic mutations translate to the DCM phenotype through mechanisms that vary by gene — for example, TTN truncating variants impair sarcomere assembly, LMNA mutations disrupt nuclear envelope integrity and mechanotransduction, and DSP variants compromise desmosomal cell–cell adhesion.

Causes

DCM results from a heterogeneous mix of genetic and acquired causes, with frequent gene–environment interactions.

  • Genetic causes: Account for 25–40% of familial and 10–30% of apparently sporadic cases. The most commonly implicated genes are TTN (15–25% of familial DCM), LMNA (~5–6%), MYH7, FLNC, DSP, RBM20, BAG3, PLN, SCN5A, and DES. Inheritance is most commonly autosomal dominant with age-dependent and incomplete penetrance.
  • Acquired causes: Include viral myocarditis, alcohol and substance use, anthracycline chemotherapy, peripartum cardiomyopathy, tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy, endocrine disorders (thyroid disease), autoimmune/inflammatory conditions, Chagas disease, nutritional deficiencies, and toxin exposure.
  • Gene-Environment Overlap: Importantly, 5–15% of patients with apparently acquired DCM harbor a pathogenic genetic variant, underscoring the need to consider both genetic and acquired factors in every patient.
  • Idiopathic DCM: Classified when no cause is identified after comprehensive evaluation. Historically accounted for ~50% of cases but is steadily declining as genetic testing yield improves.

Epidemiology and Demographics

  • Prevalence: Early echocardiographic studies estimated ~1:2,500; more recent CMR- and genetics-informed estimates suggest approximately 1:220 to 1:250.
  • Incidence: Approximately 5–7 per 100,000 persons per year, with considerable geographic variation.
  • Sex: Consistent male-to-female ratio of approximately 2:1 across all subtypes. This ratio is partially attributable to underdiagnosis in women when sex-specific imaging thresholds are not applied.
  • Race/Ethnicity: African Americans have an approximately 3-fold increased risk of developing DCM and 1.5- to 2-fold higher mortality compared with age-matched White patients, independent of hypertension and socioeconomic factors.
  • Age: Most commonly presents in the third to fourth decade of life; in children, infants younger than 12 months have the highest incidence.
  • Temporal trends: Nationwide registry studies demonstrate increasing prevalence over the past two decades, with striking excess mortality seen in younger patients.

Screening

  • Clinical Screening: First-degree relatives of any patient with DCM should undergo clinical cardiovascular screening (history, ECG, echocardiography) at recommended intervals of every 3–5 years in adults, with increased frequency if abnormalities are detected or if the proband was diagnosed at a young age.
  • Cumulative Risk: The cumulative risk of a first-degree relative developing DCM or a partial phenotype (LV enlargement or systolic dysfunction alone) by age 80 is estimated at ~33%.
  • Cascade Genetic Testing: Should be offered when a pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant is identified in the proband; relatives who do not carry the variant can be released from lifelong surveillance.

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

  • Survival and Recovery: Historical data reported 5-year survival of ~50%, but contemporary outcomes have improved substantially with GDMT and device therapy. Approximately 25% of patients with recent-onset symptoms experience spontaneous improvement, but those with symptoms lasting >3 months and severe decompensation have a lower probability of recovery.
  • Mortality: Sudden cardiac death occurs in up to 12% of patients and accounts for approximately one-quarter to one-third of all DCM-related deaths; pump failure accounts for the remaining two-thirds.
  • Prognostic Predictors: Key prognostic predictors include LVEF, NYHA functional class, RV involvement, diastolic dysfunction severity, BNP/NT-proBNP levels, myocardial scar burden on CMR (LGE ≥7.1–7.5% of LV mass), and genetic subtype.
  • Genotype Impact: LMNA and desmosomal variants confer the highest arrhythmic risk, whereas TTN truncating variants are associated with better prognosis and higher rates of LV reverse remodeling.
  • Complications: Include progressive heart failure, functional mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, thromboembolism (stroke, peripheral embolism), and sudden cardiac arrest.

Diagnosis

The diagnostic evaluation of DCM involves a systematic, multimodal approach.

History and Symptoms

Common presenting symptoms include dyspnea (exertional and at rest), orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, fatigue, exercise intolerance, peripheral edema, palpitations, and syncope/presyncope. Thromboembolic events (stroke, peripheral embolism) may be the initial presentation. A careful history should evaluate for family history of cardiomyopathy or sudden death (≥3 generations), viral prodrome, alcohol and substance use, chemotherapy exposure, pregnancy, HIV risk factors, autoimmune disease, and medication/toxin exposure. DCM is also frequently discovered incidentally in asymptomatic individuals during screening or unrelated imaging.

Laboratory Findings

The laboratory workup targets both etiologic identification and prognostic assessment. Core studies include BNP/NT-proBNP (diagnosis and prognosis), cardiac troponin (myocyte injury), comprehensive metabolic panel (renal/hepatic function, electrolytes), CBC, thyroid function tests, iron studies (ferritin, TSAT), and fasting glucose/HbA1c. Targeted testing based on clinical suspicion includes autoimmune serologies (ANA, anti-dsDNA), viral serologies, HIV testing, toxicology screening, serum CK (neuromuscular disease), and genetic counseling/testing.

MRI

Cardiac MRI (CMR) is the gold standard for volumetric assessment and provides unique tissue characterization. Key findings include LV dilatation (indexed LVEDVi above sex-specific thresholds), reduced LVEF, and characteristic nonischemic LGE patterns (midwall or subepicardial, most commonly in the interventricular septum) that distinguish DCM from ischemic cardiomyopathy (subendocardial/transmural LGE in a coronary territory). T1 and T2 mapping detect diffuse fibrosis and myocardial edema, respectively. CMR is particularly valuable for identifying myocarditis (Lake Louise criteria), infiltrative diseases, and genotype-specific scar patterns.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography is the first-line imaging modality for diagnosing DCM. Characteristic findings include LV dilatation (increased LVEDD and LVESD), globally reduced LVEF by biplane Simpson’s method, and diffuse hypokinesis (though focal wall motion abnormalities may occur). Additional findings include LA dilatation, functional mitral regurgitation, RV dilatation and dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction (elevated E/e’ ratio), and intracardiac thrombus. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle-tracking echocardiography provides incremental prognostic value beyond LVEF and may detect subclinical dysfunction before overt dilatation.

Other Diagnostic Studies

  • Genetic testing: Recommended for patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, particularly those with a family history or clinical features suggesting a genetic etiology. Cascade testing of first-degree relatives is recommended when a pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant is identified.
  • Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB): Reserved for specific clinical scenarios where histologic diagnosis would change management—such as suspected giant cell myocarditis, eosinophilic myocarditis, cardiac sarcoidosis, or unexplained rapidly progressive heart failure.
  • Coronary evaluation: Coronary CTA or invasive angiography is essential to exclude ischemic etiology in all new DCM diagnoses.
  • Right heart catheterization: Utilized for hemodynamic assessment in patients being evaluated for advanced therapies (LVAD, transplant) or when filling pressures are uncertain.
  • Ambulatory ECG monitoring: Holter or event monitoring to assess arrhythmia burden, particularly in patients with palpitations, syncope, or genetic subtypes with high arrhythmic risk (e.g., LMNA).

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Management of DCM follows the framework for HFrEF, with etiology-specific considerations. Quadruple GDMT (“four pillars”) is foundational:

  • ARNI (sacubitril/valsartan) or ACEi/ARB
  • Evidence-based beta-blocker (carvedilol, metoprolol succinate, or bisoprolol)
  • Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (spironolactone or eplerenone)
  • SGLT2 inhibitor (dapagliflozin or empagliflozin)

Compared with no treatment, comprehensive quadruple therapy reduces the estimated risk of death by approximately 73% over 2 years. Additional agents include hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate (particularly in self-identified Black patients), ivabradine (for persistent sinus tachycardia ≥70 bpm on maximally tolerated beta-blocker), vericiguat (for worsening HF), diuretics for congestion, and digoxin for symptom control. Etiology-specific therapies include alcohol cessation, rate/rhythm control for tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy, immunosuppression for select inflammatory cardiomyopathies, and genotype-informed decisions.

Surgery

  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): Indicated for primary prevention of SCD in patients with LVEF ≤35% despite ≥3 months of optimal GDMT.
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT): Indicated for patients with LVEF ≤35%, LBBB with QRS ≥150 ms, and NYHA class II–IV symptoms despite optimal GDMT.
  • Left ventricular assist device (LVAD): Bridge to transplant or destination therapy for patients with refractory end-stage heart failure.
  • Heart transplantation: Definitive therapy for patients with end-stage DCM refractory to medical and device therapy; listing criteria include peak VO₂ <12–14 mL/kg/min or dependence on inotropes/mechanical support.
  • Transcatheter mitral valve repair: May be considered for select patients with severe secondary mitral regurgitation and persistent symptoms despite optimal GDMT.

References

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Historical Perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD[2]

Overview

The etiology of dilated cardiomyopathy remained elusive for a long time that it was defined by the World Health Organization as a “heart muscle disorder of unknown cause”. However, recent research highlighted several genetic mutations that are associated with the condition. Therefore, the more recent definition by the American Heart Association was “a myocardial disorder with mechanical dysfunction, which usually exhibits inappropriate ventricular dilatation, due to a variety of etiologies that frequently are genetic”.

Historical Perspective

  • In the 1980s, the World Health Organization defined cardiomyopathies as “heart muscle diseases of unknown cause”.[1] This definition reflected the poor understanding of disease etiology.
  • Over the past two decades, significant advances have been made in understanding the genetic etiology of dilated cardiomyopathy.
  • Mutations in over 80 genes have been associated with this condition.[2]
  • Therefore, more recently, the American Heart Association defined cardiomyopathies as “a heterogeneous group of diseases of the myocardium associated with mechanical and/or electrical dysfunction, which usually (but not invariably) exhibit inappropriate ventricular hypertrophy or dilatation, due to a variety of etiologies that frequently are genetic“.[3]
  • Recent studies have revealed the complexity of the genetic basis for dilated cardiomyopathy; however, much remains to be investigated to fully understand the etiology of this condition.

References

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Pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sachin Shah, M.D.; Jennifer Hall; Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD[2]

Overview

Cardiomyopathies are defined as a heterogeneous group of diseases of the heart associated with a mechanical and/or electrical dysfunction that usually (but not always) exhibit inappropropriate ventricular hypertrophy or dilation and are due to a variety of causes that frequently are genetic. Phenotypic characteristics typically include ventricular chamber enlargement and systolic dysfunction with normal wall thickness. Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy may experience a progressive decline in left ventricular contractile function, ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, conduction system problems, thromboembolism, sudden cardiac death and/or heart failure. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the third most common cause of heart failure.

Pathophysiology

Physiology

The normal physiology of myocardium can be understood as follows:

  • The myocardium is composed of specialized cardiac muscle cells with an ability not possessed by muscle tissue elsewhere in the body. Cardiac muscle, like other muscles, can contract, but it can also carry an action potential (i.e. conduct electricity), like the neurones that constitute nerves.
  • The cardiac myocyte is a specialized muscle cell, which is composed of bundles of myofibrils that contain myofilaments. The myofibrils have distinct micro-anatomical units, called “sarcomeres“, which are considered as the basic contractile units of the cardiac cell. The sarcomere is defined as the region of myofilament structures between two Z-lines. The distance between Z-lines ranges between 1.6 and 2.2 μ. The sarcomere is composed of thick (myosin) and thin (actin) filaments. The chemical and physical interactions between the actin and myosin shortens the sarcomere length and the myocyte to contract during the process of excitation-contraction coupling, which is known as the “sliding filament theory of muscle contraction“.[1]
Figure. Sarcomere, pictured with component proteins actin, myosin, titin, etc.

Pathogenesis

Dilated cardiomyopathy usually results from a failed physiological response to myocyte injury. Mocyte injury can generally end in one of three outcomes: Immediate myocyte cell death, delayed myocyte cell death (apoptosis), or pathological compensatory response.[2] The third outcome usually results in a cycle that occurs as follows:

  • Myocyte injury
  • Hypertrophy of the remaining myocytes to increased wall stress
  • Hyperadrenergic response
  • Dynamic remodeling of the interstitial myocardial skeleton (e.g. fibrosis).
  • Reduced diastolic function and increased ventricular dilatation.
  • Distortion of valvular apparatus
  • Increased ventricular afterload
  • Initiating the process of heart failure that causes more myocyte injury.[3]

Genetics

Our understanding of the role of genetics in dilated cardiomyopathy continues to grow. Inherited familial dilated cardiomyopathy has been associated with 50 mutations in genes encoding cytoskeletal, nucleoskeletal, mitochondrial and calcium handling proteins.[4] These mutations are listed below.

Genes Encoding Plasma Membrane Proteins

Gene Abbreviation
Laminin alpha 4 LAMA4[5]
Sarcoglycan delta SGCD[6][7]

Genes Encoding Cytoskeletal Proteins

Gene Abbreviation
Actin, alpha, cardiac muscle 1 ACTC1[8]
Actinin, alpha 2 ACTN2[9]
Ankyrin repeat domain 1 ANKRD1[10]
BCL2-associated athanogene 3 BAG3[11]
Cardiotropin CTF1[12]
Cysteine and glycine-rich protein 3 CSRP3[9]
Desmin DES[13] [14]
Desmoplakin DSP[15][16][17]
DNAJ (Hsp40) homology, subfamily C, member 19 DNAJC19[18]
Dystrophin DMD[19][20][21][22][23][24][25]
Eyes absent homology 4 EYA4[26]

[27]

Four and a half LIM domains 2 FHL2[28]
Fukutin FKTN[29]
Lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 LAMP2[30]
LIM domain binding 3 LDB3[31][32][33][34]
Myosin binding protein C, cardiac MYBPC3[35]
Myosin, heavy chain 6, cardiac muscle, alpha MYH6[36]
Myosin, heavy chain 7, cardiac muscle, alpha MYH7[37]|

[38]

Nexilin (F actin binding protein) NEXN[39]
Presenilin 1 PSEN1[40]
Presenilin 2 PSEN2[40]
RNA binding motif protein 20 RBM20[41][42]
Sarcoglycan alpha SGCD[6][7]
Sodium channel, volatage-gated, type V, alpha subunit SCN5A[34][43][44][45][46][47]
Tafazzin TAZ[48][49]
Thymopoietin TMPO[50]
Troponin C type 1 (slow) TNNC1[51]
Troponin I type 3 (cardiac) TNNI3[52][53]
Troponin T type 2 (cardiac) TNNT2[38][54][51][55][56][57][58]
Tropomyosin 1 (alpha) TPM1[59][60]
Titin TTN[61][62][63]
Vinculin VCL[64][65]

Genes Encoding Calcium Handling Proteins

Gene Abbreviation
Phospholamban PLN[66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]

Genes Encoding Mitochondrial Proteins

Gene Abbreviation
Succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit A, flavoprotein SDHA[74]

Genes Encoding Nuclear Proteins

Gene Abbreviation
ATP-binding cassette, sub-family C, member 9 ABCC9[75]
Lamin A/C LMNA[76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83]
Spectrin repeat containing, nuclear envelope 2 SYNE2[84]

The increase in whole exome and whole genome sequencing has significantly increased the number of rare variants that are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy [4]. A challenge in the field today is that many individuals without disease carry rare variants in their genome. Thus the task at hand is not in the sequencing but rather in the translation to define if the rare variants discovered are in fact pathophysiologic in nature. Secondly, evidence is accumulating that many patients with dilated cardiomyopathy may have many different mutations that contribute to or modify disease. [85]

Associated Conditions

A review of systems is also helpful in regards to connective tissue disease associated dilated cardiomyopathy. Some of the disease that can be associated with dilated cardiomyopathy are:

Gross Pathology

On gross pathological examination, the heart may show

  • Globular heart (markedly dilated ventricles > 4 cm at the level of papillary muscles)
  • Patchy fibrosis in the epicardium
  • Endocardial thickening (Cardiac fibroelastosis)
  • Ballooning of valve leaflets into the atria
  • Few patients show left ventricular non-compaction or minimally dilated ventricles.

Images shown below are Courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission. © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology

Microscopic Pathology

On microscopic pathological examination, the heart may show

  • Variations in myocyte size
  • Interstitial fibrosis
  • Myofiber disarray
  • Transmural scars may be present.
  • Further, microscopic examination can verify the underlying cause as inflammation, amyloid, iron, and granulomas.[86]

References

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Causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sachin Shah, M.D. Ogheneochuko Ajari, MB.BS, MS [2]

Overview

There are many causes of dilated cardiomyopathy. The most common cause is idiopathic in 50% of cases. The next most common cause is myocarditis which is responsible for 10% of cases. The high percentage of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy may be related to the difficulty in diagnosing viral myocarditis. Other common causes include substance abuse, connective tissue disease, pregnancy, medications, nutritional deficiencies, infiltrative diseases and toxins. There are varying degrees of severity of the disease. Some forms are reversible and some are irreversible; some patients may be completely asymptomatic and some may require cardiac transplantation.

Causes

There are several recorded causes for dilated cardiomyopathy. [1][2][3][4][5]

Life Threatening Causes

Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.

Common Causes

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular Alstrom syndrome, amyloidosis, Carvajal-Huerta syndrome, coronary artery disease, endocardial fibroelastosis, eosinophilic cardiomyopathy, hemochromatosis, hypersensitivity myocarditis, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, ischemic cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, Kawasaki disease, myocarditis, myxoma, peripartum cardiomyopathy, rheumatic fever, Salih myopathy, tachycardia, x-linked dilated cardiomyopathy
Chemical/Poisoning Beryllium, carbon monoxide poisoning, cobalt, heavy metals, lead, mercury, toxins
Dental No underlying causes
Dermatologic Carvajal-Huerta syndrome, dermatomyositis, familial cutaneous collagenoma, scleroderma
Drug Side Effect Adriamycin, amphetamines, anthracyclines, antiretroviral drugs, bleomycin, certolizumab pegol,chemotherapeutic agents, chloroquine, clozapine, cyclophosphamide , didanosine, disopyramide, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, imatinib mesylate, lithium , methysergide, mitoxantrone, paracetamol, peplomycin, phenothiazines, tacrolimus, trastuzumab, zalcitabine, zidovudine
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine Acromegaly, amyloidosis, Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hemochromatosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, myxedema, pheochromocytoma, pituitary tumor
Environmental Heat stroke
Gastroenterologic Hemochromatosis, sarcoidosis, Whipple’s disease
Genetic Alstrom syndrome, Barth syndrome, Becker muscular dystrophy, desmin-related myopathy, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, X-linked, Erb dystrophy, Fabry’s disease, familial cutaneous collagenoma, Friedreich’s ataxia, hemochromatosis, Laing distal myopathy, limb girdle muscular dystrophy, McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome, McLeod phenotype, Naxos disease, Salih myopathy
Hematologic Hemochromatosis, McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome, McLeod phenotype
Iatrogenic Radiation
Infectious Disease Adenovirus, brucellosis, Chagas disease, Coxsackie virus, cryptococcosis, cytomegalovirus, diphtheria, echovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis, histoplasmosis, HIV infection, influenza virus, leptospirosis, Loa loa, Lyme disease, myocarditis, parvovirus, psittacosis, rheumatic fever, schistosomiasis, syphillis, toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, trypanosomiasis, typhoid fever, varicella
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic Becker muscular dystrophy, desmin-related myopathy, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, X-linked, Erb dystrophy, hemochromatosis, Laing distal myopathy, limb girdle muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, Salih myopathy
Neurologic Friedreich’s ataxia, giant cell arteritis, Refsum’s disease, sleep apnea
Nutritional/Metabolic Beriberi, carnitine, Fabry’s disease, glycogenosis type 2b, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, isobutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, niacin, nutritional deficiencies, pellagra, Refsum’s disease, selenium deficiency, thiamine, triosephosphate isomerase deficiency
Obstetric/Gynecologic Childbirth, pregnancy
Oncologic Myxoma, pheochromocytoma, pituitary tumor
Ophthalmologic Giant cell arteritis
Overdose/Toxicity Alcohol abuse, cocaine, ethanol, substance abuse
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Renal/Electrolyte Uremia
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy Amyloidosis, connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis, giant cell arteritis, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, serum sickness, systemic lupus erythematosis, transplant rejection
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma Electric shock
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous Heat stroke, hypothermia , idiopathic

Causes in Alphabetical Order

References

  1. Felker GM, Thompson RE, et al. Underlying causes and long-term survival in patients with initially unexplained cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med 2000 Apr 13;342(14):1077-84.
  2. Japp AG, Gulati A, Cook SA, Cowie MR, Prasad SK (2016) The Diagnosis and Evaluation of Dilated Cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 67 (25):2996-3010. DOI:10.1016/j.jacc.2016.03.590 PMID: 27339497
  3. Baris L, Cornette J, Johnson MR, Sliwa K, Roos-Hesselink JW (2019). “Peripartum cardiomyopathy: disease or syndrome?”. Heart. 105 (5): 357–362. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2018-314252. PMC 6613742 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 31693481.
  4. Weintraub RG, Semsarian C, Macdonald P (2017). “Dilated cardiomyopathy”. Lancet. 390 (10092): 400–414. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31713-5. PMID 28190577.
  5. Favalli V, Serio A, Grasso M, Arbustini E (2016). “Genetic causes of dilated cardiomyopathy”. Heart. 102 (24): 2004–2014. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308190. PMID 27634407.

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Differentiating Dilated cardiomyopathy from other Diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD[2]

Overview

Dilated cardiomyopathy should be differentiated from other causes of cardiac dysfunction, in particular acute coronary syndrome, other cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic, restrictive, and ARVC/D), myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiac toxicities.

Differentiating Dilated Cardiomyopathy from other Diseases

Dilated cardiomyopathy should be differentiated from other causes of cardiac dysfunction, in particular acute coronary syndrome, other cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic, restrictive, and ARVC/D), myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiac toxicities.[1][2][3][4]

Disorders Etiology Clinical Presentation Laboratory Findings Electrocardiogram Echocardiography
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
  • S2 at the base
  • Ventricular and atrial dilatation
  • Increased left ventricular mass
  • Global reduction in systolic function
  • Focal wall motion abnormalities
Acute Coronary Syndrome
  • Elevated blood troponin levels (after 6 hours of attack onset)
  • Elevated blood CK-MB levels
Acute Pericarditis
  • CBC: Increased WBCs count
  • Modest increase in CK-MB
  • Elevated CRP levels.
Amphetamine/Cocaine Cardiomyopathy
  • Illicit drug use
  • Drug and toxicology screen
  • Elevated serum CK (rhabdomyolysis)
  • Impaired electrolytes levels
  • Chamber dilation
  • Regional wall motion abnormalities
  • Increased left ventricular mass
  • Increased posterior wall thickness
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular

cardiomyopathy (ARVC/D)

Diagnostic criteria are based on:
  • Localised QRS widening
  • Dilated, hypokinetic right ventricle
  • Prominent apical trabeculae
  • Dilatation of RV outflow tract
Wet Beriberi
  • Inadequate thiamine intake (rice-based foods, alcoholism, and malnutrition)
  • Increased thiamine loss (protracted vomiting)
  • Inadequate absorption (after bariatric surgery or genetic mutation)
In advanced beriberi, heart failure occurs. In advanced beriberi, heart failure occurs.
  • Reduced ejection fraction.
  • Reduced fractional shortening
  • Large cardiac chamber sizes.
  • Disturbed regional wall motion


Cardiac Tamponade
  • Acute tamponade: Cardiogenic shock, hypotension, cold extremities, peripheral cyanosis, and decreased urine output.
  • Subacute tamponade: Peripheral edema with gradual progression to the aforementioned clinical picture.
  • Increased serum CK-MB and troponin
  • Cause-related investigations as serum inflammatory markers, diagnostic pericardiocentesis, and Gallium 67 imaging.
  • Pericardial effusion.
  • Swinging of the heart within the effusion
  • Reversal of right atrial and right ventricular diastolic transmural pressures.
  • Cardiac chamber collapse
Hyperthyroidism
  • Elevated T3 and T4 hormones
  • TSH: Reduced in 1ry and Elevated in 2ry hyperthyroidism.
  • Thyroid stimulating antibodies: Elevated only in Grave’s disease
The following may be present:
  • Left ventricular enhanced systolic function
  • Enhanced or impaired diastolic function
  • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
    • Diastolic dysfunction
    • Septal wall thickness of >15 mm
    • Narrowing of the LV outflow tract
    • Abnormal systolic motion of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve
    Left ventricular noncompaction
    • Echocardiography
    • Steady-state free precession MRI, showing prominent trabeculations and a non-compacted to compacted (NC/C) myocardium ratio > 2.3
    Myocarditis
    Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Systemic diseases, such as
    • Low QRS voltages
    • Conduction abnormalities.
    • Wall and valvular thickening
    • Sparkling myocardium.

    References

    1. Amosova EN (1992). “[Differential diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy]”. Klin Med (Mosk). 70 (3–4): 14–9. PMID 1507837.
    2. Schultheiss HP, Fairweather D, Caforio ALP, Escher F, Hershberger RE, Lipshultz SE; et al. (2019). “Dilated cardiomyopathy”. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 5 (1): 32. doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0084-1. PMID 31073128.
    3. Gurevich MA, Gordienko BV (2003). “[Dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy: differential diagnosis]”. Klin Med (Mosk). 81 (9): 68–71. PMID 14598597.
    4. Gurevich MA, Gordienko BV (2003). “[Dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy: differential diagnosis]”. Klin Med (Mosk). 81 (9): 68–71. PMID 14598597.


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    Epidemiology and Demographics

    Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD[2] Sachin Shah, M.D.

    Overview

    The prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy is approximately 36 per 100,000 individuals worldwide. It has a high mortality rate of up to 50%. Dilated cardiomyopathy is most likely to occur between the ages of 20-60, is three times as likely to occur in males over females, and is 2.5 times more likely to occur in African Americans.

    Epidemiology and Demographics

    Incidence

    Prevalence

    Case-fatality rate/Mortality rate

    Age

    Gender

    Race

    References

    1. Dec GW, Fuster V. Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med 1994 Dec 8;331(23):1564-75. PMID 7969328
    2. Robbins Basic Pathology, 7th edition. Kumar, Cotran, Robbins. ISBN 0-7216-9274-5
    3. Coughlin SS, Labenberg JR, Tefft MC. Black-white differences in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: the Washington DC Dilated Cardiomyopathy Study. Epidemiology. 1993;4:165-72. PMID 8452906

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    Risk Factors

    Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD[2]

    Overview

    Common risk factors in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy include genetic inheritance, nutritional deficiencies, substance abuse, occupational exposure to toxins, and viral infections.

    Risk Factors

    Common risk factors in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy include genetic inheritance, nutritional deficiencies, substance abuse, occupational exposure to toxins, and viral infections.[1][2][3][4]

    Common Risk Factors

    Less Common Risk Factors

    References

    1. Felker GM, Thompson RE, Hare JM, Hruban RH, Clemetson DE, Howard DL; et al. (2000). “Underlying causes and long-term survival in patients with initially unexplained cardiomyopathy”. N Engl J Med. 342 (15): 1077–84. doi:10.1056/NEJM200004133421502. PMID 10760308.
    2. McNally EM, Mestroni L (2017). “Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Genetic Determinants and Mechanisms”. Circ Res. 121 (7): 731–748. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.309396. PMC 5626020. PMID 28912180.
    3. Lipshultz SE (1998). “Dilated cardiomyopathy in HIV-infected patients”. N Engl J Med. 339 (16): 1153–5. doi:10.1056/NEJM199810153391609. PMID 9770563.
    4. Li X, Nie Y, Lian H, Hu S (2018). “Histopathologic features of alcoholic cardiomyopathy compared with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy”. Medicine (Baltimore). 97 (39): e12259. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012259. PMC 6181549. PMID 30278496.

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    Screening

    Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD[2]

    Overview

    The current guidelines recommend screening for dilated cardiomyopathy in individuals with 2 or 3 family members with primary dilated cardiomyopathy. Screening can be performed using electrocardiograms and echocardiography to measure the size and function of the left ventricle. An underlying genetic mutation in the 40 genes (currently assessed in FCD genetic testing) can be detected in 30 to 40% of FCD patients.

    Screening

    Screening is only recommended in individuals who have a family history of familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDC).

    References

    1. Fatkin D, members of the CSANZ Cardiac Genetic Diseases Council Writing Group (2011). “Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of familial dilated cardiomyopathy”. Heart Lung Circ. 20 (11): 691–3. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2011.07.008. PMID 21885340.
    2. McNally EM, Golbus JR, Puckelwartz MJ (2013). “Genetic mutations and mechanisms in dilated cardiomyopathy”. J Clin Invest. 123 (1): 19–26. doi:10.1172/JCI62862. PMC 3533274. PMID 23281406.
    3. Haas J, Frese KS, Peil B, Kloos W, Keller A, Nietsch R; et al. (2015). “Atlas of the clinical genetics of human dilated cardiomyopathy”. Eur Heart J. 36 (18): 1123–35a. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu301. PMID 25163546.
    4. Sweet M, Taylor MR, Mestroni L (2015). “Diagnosis, prevalence, and screening of familial dilated cardiomyopathy”. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs. 3 (8): 869–876. doi:10.1517/21678707.2015.1057498. PMC 4988677. PMID 27547593.

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    Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

    Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abdelrahman Ibrahim Abushouk, MD[2]

    Overview

    The natural history of dilated cardiomyopathy has significantly improved following the advances in medical therapy and introduction of cardiac resynchronization and implantable defibrillators. However, patients with DCM are still prone to complications as heart failure, arrhythmias, arterial embolism and sudden cardiac death. There are several prognostic indicators when evaluating dilated cardiomyopathy, the most important one being ejection fraction. Complications as a result of dilated cardiomyopathy include heart failure, aortic and mitral valve regurgitation, emboli, edema, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest.

    Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

    Natural History

    • Dilated cardiomyopathy is the final common pathway for different etiologic mechanisms.
    • During the initial visit of a patient with DCM, the clinician should in fact consider all the potentially reversible causes of left ventricular dysfunction, likely to benefit from specific therapeutic intervention.
    • The onset of DCM can be at times indistinguishable from other conditions which can be specifically recovered by correcting the underlying problem.[1]
    • The natural history of DCM has thus significantly changed in the last few years, particularly after the introduction and utilization of ACE-inhibitors, betablockers, anti-aldosterone drugs and nonpharmacological treatments, such as cardiac resynchronization (CRT) and implantable defibrillator (ICD).[2]
    • However, still about 2% of patients with DCM died of sudden cardiac death after the diagnosis and the risk of other complications as heart failure, arterial infarctions, and valvular insufficiency remains high.[3]

    Complications

    The following complications may occur in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.[3]

    Prognosis

    There are many prognostic factors which can be evaluated in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy. The most important prognostic indicator is a decreased ejection fraction, in addition increased left ventricular size and right ventricular dilation are independent indicators of a poor prognosis. As is in most types of heart failure a poor NYHA functional class and increased PASP (>35mmHg) are also poor prognostic indicators. Other findings that infer a poor prognosis are as follows: Maximal O2 uptake of < 12mL/kg / minute on exercise testing, LBBB (left bundle branch block), non sustained ventricular tachycardia, syncope, hyponatremia with a serum sodium less than 135, elevated norepinephrine, ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) and renin levels (not routinely measured in clinical practice), elevated PCWP (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) > 18mmHg and low cardiac index < 2.5L/min/m^2.[4][5]

    References

    1. Di Lenarda A, Pinamonti B, Mestroni L, Salvi A, Sabbadini G, Gregori D; et al. (2004). “[How the natural history of dilated cardiomyopathy has changed. Review of the Registry of Myocardial Diseases of Trieste]”. Ital Heart J Suppl. 5 (4): 253–66. PMID 15185463.
    2. Merlo M, Gentile P, Naso P, Sinagra G (2017). “The natural history of dilated cardiomyopathy: how has it changed?”. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 18 Suppl 1: e161–e165. doi:10.2459/JCM.0000000000000459. PMID 27828827.
    3. 3.0 3.1 Zecchin M, Merlo M, Pivetta A, Barbati G, Lutman C, Gregori D; et al. (2012). “How can optimization of medical treatment avoid unnecessary implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantations in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy presenting with “SCD-HeFT criteria?. Am J Cardiol. 109 (5): 729–35. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.10.033. PMID 22176998.
    4. Castelli G, Fornaro A, Ciaccheri M, Dolara A, Troiani V, Tomberli B; et al. (2013). “Improving survival rates of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Tuscany over 3 decades: impact of evidence-based management”. Circ Heart Fail. 6 (5): 913–21. doi:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.112.000120. PMID 23888044.
    5. Hagar A, Pu XB, Chen SJ, Shah JP, Chen M (2019). “Clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: a tertiary center experience”. J Geriatr Cardiol. 16 (4): 320–328. doi:10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2019.04.004. PMC 6503477 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 31105752.

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    Diagnosis

    Diagnosis

    History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram | Chest X-Ray | CT | MRI | Echocardiography | Other Imaging Findings | Genetic testing | Other Diagnostic Studies

    Treatment

    Treatment

    Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

    Case Studies

    Case Studies

    Case #1

    Related Chapters

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