Category:Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathies are diseases affecting the cardiac myocardium causing dysfunction. Primary cardiomyopathies are characterized by having an unknown cause while secondary cardiomyopathies have an identifiable cause. The primary cardiomyopathies will be the centre of our discussion.

There are four types of primary cardiomyopathies:

1. Dilated Cardiomyopathies
2. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathies
3. Restrictive Cardiomyopathies - occur when endocardial and myocardial fibrosis and thickening impair ventricular diastolic filling. Like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the atrium on the affected side dilates. Most often restrictive cardiomyopathy affects the left ventricle and congestive heart failure can develop. Signs and treatment are similar to those of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Restrictive cardiomyopathies are rare and are mentioned here only for completeness.
4. Intermediate/Unclassified Cardiomyopathies - occur when the cardiomyopathy does not match the normal diagnostic checklist for either dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. Not enough information is available on this condition at this time.

There are five types of secondary cardiomyopathies:

1. Infectious (e.g. Parvovirus, Toxoplasmosis)
2. Infiltrative (e.g. Neoplasia)
3. Metabolic (e.g. Endocrine disorders)
4. Nutritional (e.g. L-Carnitine deficiency, Taurine deficiency)
5. Toxic (e.g. Lead, Doxorubicin, Monensin)