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Cardiomyopathies
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition which was first recognised in the 1950s. It is characterised by dilation and impaired pumping function of the main chambers of the heart. The onset of the condition is genetically determined in the majority of patients. It may be triggered by viral infection, pregnancy, or excessive alcohol abuse. Symptoms of heart failure, in particular breathlessness and fatigue, are the usual presenting feature. Natural history is usually progressive though there have been recent improvements in the treatment of heart failure including newer drugs and the possibility of transplantation.
Inheritance patterns
Dilated cardiomyopathy is an autosomal dominant condition with incomplete penetrance and family screening is recommended. The condition is familial in at least fifty per cent of cases.
Prenatal diagnosis
Not Applicable
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
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