rss
J Clin Pathol 2009;62:219-225 doi:10.1136/jcp.2008.060731
  • Review

Dilated cardiomyopathy: a review

  1. A Luk1,
  2. E Ahn2,
  3. G S Soor2,
  4. J Butany2,3
  1. 1
    Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  2. 2
    Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  3. 3
    Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  1. Jagdish Butany, Department of Pathology, E11-444, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 2C4; jagdish.butany{at}uhn.on.ca
  • Accepted 22 September 2008
  • Published Online First 18 November 2008

Abstract

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cardiac diagnosis that may result as a consequence of a variety of pathologies. The differential diagnosis remains quite broad since many pathologies can present as DCM, and as a result the approach to diagnosis may, at times, be quite difficult. This review article discusses genetic and acquired causes of DCM, pathophysiology of myocardial damage, pathology, and diagnostic criteria. An approach to management is also included, in the hope of informing physicians of a clinical entity that afflicts a substantial number of people worldwide.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF
  4. All versions of this article:
    1. jcp.2008.060731v1
    2. 62/3/219 most recent

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.