cardiomyopathies
Summary
Myocardial diseases causing mechanical/electrical dysfunction. Three main types: dilated (most common, systolic dysfunction), hypertrophic (diastolic dysfunction, sudden death risk), and restrictive (impaired filling).
Detail
Dilated cardiomyopathy: ventricular dilation with reduced EF (<40%). Causes include genetic, toxic (alcohol, anthracyclines), viral, Chagas. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: autosomal dominant sarcomeric mutations causing asymmetric hypertrophy with myocyte disarray, LVOT obstruction worsened by decreased preload. Major cause of sudden death in young athletes. Restrictive cardiomyopathy: preserved systolic function but impaired diastolic relaxation from infiltrative diseases (amyloidosis, sarcoidosis). ARVC features fibro-fatty RV replacement. Diagnosis: echo, ECG, cardiac MRI, sometimes biopsy.
Sources
- First Aid for the USMLE Step 1
- Pathoma
- Robbins Basic Pathology
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
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