Dilated cardiomyopathy Flashcards
It is the most common cardiomyopathy, true or false
True
What happens in dilated cardiomyopathy
The 4 chambers dilate and the walls thin
How does dilated cardiomyopathy happen
New sacromeres are added on in series
What is a sacromere
A muscle unit
What effect does this have on the stroke volume and why
Lower stroke volume as muscles cannot pump enough of the blood in the larger chamber
Is it a systolic or diastolic heart failure
Systolic heart failure
What effect does it have on the valves
Stretches them and causes regurgitation in mitral and tricuspid
What signs on ausciltation does dilated cardiomyopathy show
Holosystolic murmur and S3
Majority have a known cause, true or false
False, it is usually idiopathic
What are the two genetic mutations that can cause it
Duchenne muscle dystrophy and haemochromatosis
What are the two infections that cause it
Coxsachievirus B (myocarditis) and chagas disease (protozoal)
What are other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy
Alcohol abuse, chemo, cocaine, wet beriberi (low vitamin B), peripartum cardiomyopathy (3rd trimester or after birth, pregnancy associated hypertension)
Diagnosis
CXR and echo will show dilated heart chambers
Treatment
Left ventricular assist device or transplant
