The Cardiomyopathy reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is the deterioration of the cardiac muscle of the heart wall.

It has a number of causes including drug and alcohol toxicity, certain infections, and various genetic and idiopathic (i.e. unknown) causes. It can lead to heart failure as the pumping efficiency of the heart is diminished. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia and/or sudden cardiac death.

There are four main types of cardiomyopathy:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM or HOCM)
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the commonest form of cardiomyopathy, and one of the leading indications for heart transplantation. In DCM the heart (especially the left ventricle) is enlarged and weakened. Approximately 40% of cases are familial, but the genetics are poorly understood compared with HCM.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic disorder caused by various mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. In HCM the heart muscle is thickened, which can obstruct blood flow and prevent the heart from functioning properly.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) arises from an electrical disturbance of the heart in which heart muscle is replaced by fibrous scar tissue. The right ventricle is generally most affected.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is the least common cardiomyopathy. The walls of the ventricles are stiff, but may not be thickened, and resist the normal filling of the heart with blood.

External link

http://www.cardiomyopathy.org (The Cardiomyopathy Association)