Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Dilated cardiomyopathy echocardiography
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Echocardiography is the most common imaging finding used to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy. Findings may include ventricular and atrial dilatation, increased left ventricular mass, a global reduction in systolic function, and focal wall motion abnormalities.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography
The diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy is based on clinical presentation and imaging findings. The most common imaging modality used to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy is 2D-echocardiography. Echocardiographic findings of dilated cardiomyopathy include:
- Dilation of the left ventricle; however, may include dilatation of all 4 cardiac chambers
- LV (left ventricular) wall thickness usually is normal but given the dilation the LV mass is increased
- In addition there is a global reduction in systolic function
- Occasionally there may also be focal wall motion abnormalities even in patients without flow limiting coronary artery disease[1]
The diagnosis requires a dilated left ventricle and low ejection fraction.
References
References
- ↑ Mayo Clinic Cardiology. Concise Textbook. Murphy, Joseph G; Lloyd, Margaret A. Mayo Clinic Scientific Press. 2007.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Sachin Shah, M.D.