Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Alternate Names : Cardiomyopathy - Dilated, Congestive Cardiomyopathy
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Diagnosis & Tests
Dilated cardiomyopathy usually causes heart failure.
A physical examination may reveal an irregular or a rapid heartbeat. There may be distended neck veins, enlarged liver, edema (swelling of the ankles), and signs of pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs). Listening to the chest with a stethoscope may reveal lung crackles or abnormal heart sounds. Blood pressure may be low or may drop upon rising (orthostatic hypotension).
An ECG may show an enlarged heart, arrhythmias, or other abnormalities such as pseudoinfarction (a false appearance of having suffered a heart attack).
Heart enlargement, congestion of the lungs, decreased movement/functioning of the heart, or heart failure may show on:
A heart biopsy may help determine the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Laboratory tests vary depending on the suspected cause.
Cardiomyopathy is classified as idiopathic when all known possible causes have been ruled out.
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