Dilated cardiomyopathy

Question 1

Dilated cardiomyopathy, what is it, what’s the mechanism behind it

Answer 1

• cardiomyopathy resulting in the dilation of all the 4 chambers of the heart
• sarcomeres are added in series -> chambers grow larger -> creates wall relatively thin compared to the chamber size -> less muscle to use for contraction

Question 2

Dilated cardiomyopathy: consequences, what kind of heart failure does it cause

Answer 2

• causes weak contractions -> blood gets less pumped out -> causing a lower SV -> results in ineffective blood pump towards the body and lungs -> causes biventricular congestive heart failure: a type of systolic HF

Question 3

Dilated cardiomyopathy: C

Answer 3

• idiopathic
• genetic mutations: Duchenne Muscular dystrophy, hemochromatosis (excessive iron)
• infection: Coxsackie virus B (which also causes myocarditis), chagas disease (protozoal infection)
• alcohol abuse: because alcohol and its metabolites have a direct effect on the myocardium
• Drugs: chemotherapy drugs, cocaine
• Wet beriberi: when someone has too low Vit B1 (thiamine)
• peripartum cardiomyopathy: can develop in the 3rd trimester, or weeks following delivery

Question 4

Dilated cardiomyopathy: D

Answer 4

• CXR

Question 5

Dilated cardiomyopathy: T

Answer 5

• left ventricular assist device (LVAD): a mechanical pump helping the heart to distribute blood, one part is in the left ventricle, other in the aorta, connected to a battery
• heart transplant