Biomaterial Database

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: What is known and what is not known. 2017

Antonio Mirijello, and Claudia Tarli, and Gabriele Angelo Vassallo, and Luisa Sestito, and Mariangela Antonelli, and Cristina d'Angelo, and Anna Ferrulli, and Salvatore De Cosmo, and Antonio Gasbarrini, and Giovanni Addolorato

Department of Medical Sciences, Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Catholic University of Rome, Italy; Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. Electronic address: a.mirijello@operapadrepio.it.

Excessive alcohol consumption represents one of the main causes of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is characterized by dilation and impaired contraction of one or both myocardial ventricles. It represents the final effect of alcohol-induced toxicity to the heart. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed at the basis of alcohol-induced damage, most of which are still object of research. Unfortunately, symptoms of alcoholic cardiomyopathy are not specific and common to other forms of heart failure and appear when dilatation and systolic dysfunction are consolidated. Thus, early diagnosis is mandatory to prevent the development and progression to heart failure. Although physicians are aware of this disease, several pitfalls in the diagnosis, natural history, prognosis and treatment are still present. The aim of this narrative review is to describe clinical characteristics of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, highlighting the areas of uncertainty.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011379	Prognosis	A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations.	Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D002310	Cardiomyopathy, Alcoholic	Disease of CARDIAC MUSCLE resulting from chronic excessive alcohol consumption. Myocardial damage can be caused by: (1) a toxic effect of alcohol; (2) malnutrition in alcoholics such as THIAMINE DEFICIENCY; or (3) toxic effect of additives in alcoholic beverages such as COBALT. This disease is usually manifested by DYSPNEA and palpitations with CARDIOMEGALY and congestive heart failure (HEART FAILURE).	Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
D004452	Echocardiography	Ultrasonic recording of the size, motion, and composition of the heart and surrounding tissues. The standard approach is transthoracic.	Echocardiography, Contrast,Echocardiography, Cross-Sectional,Echocardiography, M-Mode,Echocardiography, Transthoracic,Echocardiography, Two-Dimensional,Transthoracic Echocardiography,2-D Echocardiography,2D Echocardiography,Contrast Echocardiography,Cross-Sectional Echocardiography,Echocardiography, 2-D,Echocardiography, 2D,M-Mode Echocardiography,Two-Dimensional Echocardiography,2 D Echocardiography,Cross Sectional Echocardiography,Echocardiography, 2 D,Echocardiography, Cross Sectional,Echocardiography, M Mode,Echocardiography, Two Dimensional,M Mode Echocardiography,Two Dimensional Echocardiography
D006321	Heart	The hollow, muscular organ that maintains the circulation of the blood.	Hearts
D006333	Heart Failure	A heterogeneous condition in which the heart is unable to pump out sufficient blood to meet the metabolic need of the body. Heart failure can be caused by structural defects, functional abnormalities (VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION), or a sudden overload beyond its capacity. Chronic heart failure is more common than acute heart failure which results from sudden insult to cardiac function, such as MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.	Cardiac Failure,Heart Decompensation,Congestive Heart Failure,Heart Failure, Congestive,Heart Failure, Left-Sided,Heart Failure, Right-Sided,Left-Sided Heart Failure,Myocardial Failure,Right-Sided Heart Failure,Decompensation, Heart,Heart Failure, Left Sided,Heart Failure, Right Sided,Left Sided Heart Failure,Right Sided Heart Failure
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000428	Alcohol Drinking	Behaviors associated with the ingesting of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, including social drinking.	Alcohol Consumption,Alcohol Intake,Drinking, Alcohol,Alcohol Drinking Habits,Alcohol Drinking Habit,Alcohol Intakes,Consumption, Alcohol,Drinking Habit, Alcohol,Habit, Alcohol Drinking,Habits, Alcohol Drinking,Intake, Alcohol
D013902	Radiography, Thoracic	X-ray visualization of the chest and organs of the thoracic cavity. It is not restricted to visualization of the lungs.	Thoracic Radiography,Radiographies, Thoracic,Thoracic Radiographies
D018450	Disease Progression	The worsening and general progression of a disease over time. This concept is most often used for chronic and incurable diseases where the stage of the disease is an important determinant of therapy and prognosis.	Clinical Course,Clinical Progression,Disease Exacerbation,Exacerbation, Disease,Progression, Clinical,Progression, Disease