Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Prevalence and Pathogenesis of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathies are defined as myocardial disorders in which the heart is structurally and functionally abnormal. Morphologically defined subtypes include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and left ventricular (LV) noncompaction cardiomyopathy, and each of these subtypes can be genetically mediated (Figure 1). DCM is characterized by an enlarged and poorly contractile LV. DCM can be attributed to genetic and nongenetic causes, including hypertension, valve disease, inflammatory/infectious causes, and toxins. Even these nongenetic forms of cardiomyopathy can be influenced by an individual’s genetic profile and, furthermore, mixed pathogeneses may be present. In DCM, the degree of LV systolic dysfunction is variable, and LV systolic dysfunction is often progressive. DCM is a major risk factor for developing heart failure (HF) as the presence of reduced systolic Cardiomyopathy Compendium