Biomaterial Database

The pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy. 1992

E G Olsen

Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospital, Department of Histopathology (Cardiovascular Pathology), London, UK.

Using the WHO/ISFC definition and recommendations of nomenclature for cardiomyopathies, the aetiology is unknown. Over many years research has concentrated on defining pathogenetic mechanisms and owing to the widespread use of the bioptome-permitting recovery of fresh endomyocardial tissue-myocarditis has emerged as being intimately involved in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy. In approximately 2,000 patients with a presumed diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis was found in 28% of these cases. The morphological diagnosis of myocarditis has been fraught with difficulties and, in attempt to establish criteria for its recognition, a group of cardiovascular pathologists (the author among them) met in Dallas in 1984. These criteria are detailed and categorization into acute, resolving (healing) and resolved (healed) has been emphasized because of important therapeutic implications. The cause of myocarditis has been established as being due to coxsackie B viruses. Up to recent times such findings could only be surmised by investigations such as micro-neutralization tests. It was not until the hydridization probe was employed that direct proof was provided. These studies together with immunological consequences continue to be investigated in the hope of providing a rational approach to therapy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009205	Myocarditis	Inflammatory processes of the muscular walls of the heart (MYOCARDIUM) which result in injury to the cardiac muscle cells (MYOCYTES, CARDIAC). Manifestations range from subclinical to sudden death (DEATH, SUDDEN). Myocarditis in association with cardiac dysfunction is classified as inflammatory CARDIOMYOPATHY usually caused by INFECTION, autoimmune diseases, or responses to toxic substances. Myocarditis is also a common cause of DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY and other cardiomyopathies.	Carditis,Myocarditides
D009206	Myocardium	The muscle tissue of the HEART. It is composed of striated, involuntary muscle cells (MYOCYTES, CARDIAC) connected to form the contractile pump to generate blood flow.	Muscle, Cardiac,Muscle, Heart,Cardiac Muscle,Myocardia,Cardiac Muscles,Heart Muscle,Heart Muscles,Muscles, Cardiac,Muscles, Heart
D002311	Cardiomyopathy, Dilated	A form of CARDIAC MUSCLE disease that is characterized by ventricular dilation, VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION, and HEART FAILURE. Risk factors include SMOKING; ALCOHOL DRINKING; HYPERTENSION; INFECTION; PREGNANCY; and mutations in the LMNA gene encoding LAMIN TYPE A, a NUCLEAR LAMINA protein.	Cardiomyopathy, Congestive,Congestive Cardiomyopathy,Dilated Cardiomyopathy,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, 1a,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, Autosomal Recessive,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, CMD1A,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, LMNA,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, With Conduction Defect 1,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, with Conduction Deffect1,Cardiomyopathy, Familial Idiopathic,Cardiomyopathy, Idiopathic Dilated,Cardiomyopathies, Congestive,Cardiomyopathies, Dilated,Cardiomyopathies, Familial Idiopathic,Cardiomyopathies, Idiopathic Dilated,Congestive Cardiomyopathies,Dilated Cardiomyopathies,Dilated Cardiomyopathies, Idiopathic,Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Idiopathic,Familial Idiopathic Cardiomyopathies,Familial Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy,Idiopathic Cardiomyopathies, Familial,Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy, Familial,Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathies,Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man