Dilated cardiomyopathy

Question 1

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Answer 1

Is the most common form of cardiomyopathy, accounting for 90% of cases.

Question 2

Psychophysiology of DCM

Answer 2

1. dilated heart leading to predominately systolic dysfunction
2. all 4 chambers are dilated, but the left ventricle more so than right ventricle
3. eccentric hypertrophy (sarcomeres added in series) is seen

Question 3

Features of DCM

Answer 3

• classic findings of heart failure
• systolic murmur: stretching of the valves may result in mitral and tricuspid regurgitation
• S3
• ‘balloon’ appearance of the heart on the chest x-ray

Question 4

What murmurs are present in DCM?

Answer 4

mitral and tricuspid regurgitation

Question 5

What chest xray changes are seen on DCM?

Answer 5

‘balloon’ appearance of the heart on the chest x-ray