7th March 2024

Pathology

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is likely the most common of the cardiomyopathies. It is characterised by an enlarged and globally poorly contractile left ventricle. As with many of the following cardiomyopathies, it can be both acquired or inherited.

The genetic subtypes are numerous and include mutations in cytoskeletal or sarcomeric protein and nuclear membrane abnormalities. The acquired subtypes can include myocarditis, thiamine deficiency, alcohol and tachycardia induced cardiomyopathies. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of DCM, in which the DCM occurs in the peripartum period, most typically in the post-partum period.