Dilated Cardiomyopathy Flashcards
How is dilated cardiomyopathy characterised?
Enlarged ventricular size
Normal ventricular wall thickness
Does dilated cardiomyopathy usually cause systolic or diastolic dysfunction?
Systolic dysfunction
What is dilated cardiomyopathy the most common indication for?
Heart transplant
What is dilated cardiomyopathy caused by?
Idiopathic
What are more common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy?
- alcohol
- Coxsackie B virus
- wet beriberi
- doxorubicin
What does dilated cardiomyopathy typically present like?
Presents like heart failure
What are the symptoms of dilates cardiomyopathy?
- Dyspnoea – particularly on exertion
- Fatigue
- Peripheral oedema
- Raised JVP (if right ventricle involved)
- Loud 3rd and 4th heart sounds
Why would there be a raised JVP in someone with dilated cardiomyopathy?
If the right ventricle is involved
What ECG changes might occur in someone with dilated cardiomyopathy?
- Sinus tachycardia
- T wave inversion and Q waves (even if no previous MI)
- ST-depression (non-specific pattern)
- Left bundle branch block
What changes might you see on a chest x-ray of someone with dilated cardiomyopathy?
Balloon appearance of the heart
What might an echocardiogram of someone with dilated cardiomyopathy show?
Dilated, hypo kinetic chambers
When might a Coronary angiogram be considered?
When there is doubt over the diagnosis (vs ischaemic heart disease) or iscahemic heart disease is suspected as the cause
What is wet beriberi?
Thiamine deficiency
What are the main features of dilated cardiomyopathy?
classic findings of heart failure
systolic murmur
S3 heart sound
‘balloon’ appearance of the heart
What is the first line management of dilates cardiomyopathy?
- Treat any reversible causes
- Prophylactic anticoagulation: Warfarin or NOAC
- Treat any arrythmia: Consider pacemaker for AV node block
