Review

Authors: Jay Brieler, Matthew A Breeden, Jane Tucker...

The definition and classification of cardiomyopathy have evolved considerably in recent years. Cardiomyopathy can be separated into primary (genetic, mixed, or acquired) and secondary categories, which result in varied phenotypes including dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive patterns. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common primary cardiomyopathy and can cause exertional dyspnea, presyncope, atypical chest pain, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Dilated cardiomyopathy can be genetic or acquired and typically presents with classic symptoms of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is much less common and often associated with systemic disease. Family physicians should be alert for acquired variants of cardiomyopathy, including peripartum and stress-induced cardiomyopathy, as well as rare variants, such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia and left ventricular noncompaction. In addition to history and physical examination, diagnosis of cardiomyopathy includes electrocardiography and echocardiography testing. Treatment may include appropriately staged therapy for heart failure, appropriate activity restriction, evaluation for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement, and consideration of heart transplantation in refractory cases. Genetic testing of families is an emerging modality with some potential to augment traditional screening performed by family physicians.

Topics: Cardiomyopathies; Diagnosis, Differential; Heart; Humans; Risk Factors

PubMed: 29431384
DOI: No ID Found

Authors: Virginia Luis Fuentes, Jonathan Abbott, Valérie Chetboul...

Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of myocardial disorders of mostly unknown etiology, and they occur commonly in cats. In some cats, they are well-tolerated and are associated with normal life expectancy, but in other cats they can result in congestive heart failure, arterial thromboembolism or sudden death. Cardiomyopathy classification in cats can be challenging, and in this consensus statement we outline a classification system based on cardiac structure and function (phenotype). We also introduce a staging system for cardiomyopathy that includes subdivision of cats with subclinical cardiomyopathy into those at low risk of life-threatening complications and those at higher risk. Based on the available literature, we offer recommendations for the approach to diagnosis and staging of cardiomyopathies, as well as for management at each stage.

Topics: Animals; Cardiomyopathies; Cat Diseases; Cats; Consensus; Heart; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Societies, Veterinary

PubMed: 32243654
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15745

Review

Authors: Melinda B Davis, Zolt Arany, Dennis M McNamara...

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of systolic heart failure affecting young women toward the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery. Incidence is higher in African-American women and in women with older maternal age, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and multiple gestation pregnancies. Symptoms of heart failure mimic those of normal pregnancy, often resulting in a delay in diagnosis and preventable complications. Echocardiography showing decreased myocardial function is essential for the diagnosis. Medical management is similar to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction of other etiologies, but adjustments during pregnancy are necessary to ensure fetal safety. Variable outcomes include complete recovery, persistent heart failure, arrhythmias, thromboembolic events, and death. Subsequent pregnancy confers substantial risk of relapse and even death if there is incomplete myocardial recovery. Additional research about the etiology, optimal therapy including the use of bromocriptine, long-term outcomes, and duration of treatment after recovery are needed.

Topics: Cardiomyopathies; Cardiovascular Agents; Female; Humans; Peripartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Puerperal Disorders; Review Literature as Topic

PubMed: 31948651
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.11.014

Review

Authors: Michael L'Heureux, Michael Sternberg, Lisa Brath...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To briefly review epidemiology and pathophysiology of SICM and provide a more extensive review of the data on diagnostic and management strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

SICM is likely underdiagnosed and that has mortality implications. Current evidence supports speckle tracking echocardiography to identify decreased contractility irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction for the diagnosis of SICM. There continues to be a dearth of large clinical trials evaluating the treatment of SICM and current consensus focuses on supportive measures such as vasopressors and inotropes. Sepsis is a significant cause of mortality, and sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy has both prognostic and management implications for these patients. Individualized work-up and management of these patients is crucial to improving outcomes.

Topics: Cardiomyopathies; Echocardiography; Heart; Humans; Sepsis; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Ventricular Function, Left

PubMed: 32377972
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-020-01277-2

Review

Authors: Pouria Shoureshi, Alex Y Tan, Jayanthi Koneru...

Arrhythmias frequently accompany heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. Tachycardias, atrial fibrillation, and premature ventricular contractions can induce a reversible form of dilated cardiomyopathy (CM) known as arrhythmia-induced CM (AiCM). The intriguing question is why certain individuals are more susceptible to AiCM, despite similar arrhythmia burdens. The primary challenge is determining the extent of arrhythmias' contribution to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. AiCM should be considered in patients with a mean heart rate of >100 beats/min, atrial fibrillation, or a PVC burden of >10%. Confirmation of AiCM occurs when CM reverses upon eliminating the responsible arrhythmia. Therapy choice depends on the specific arrhythmia, patient comorbidities, and preferences. After left ventricular function is restored, ongoing follow-up is essential if an abnormal myocardial substrate persists. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of AiCM have the potential to enhance patients' quality of life, improve clinical outcomes, and reduce hospital admissions and overall health care costs.

Topics: Humans; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Cardiomyopathies; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated

PubMed: 38811098
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.03.416

Review

Authors: Jose F Huizar, Kenneth A Ellenbogen, Alex Y Tan...

Arrhythmias coexist in patients with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Tachycardias, atrial fibrillation, and premature ventricular contractions are known to trigger a reversible dilated cardiomyopathy referred as arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy (AiCM). It remains unclear why some patients are more prone to develop AiCM despite similar arrhythmia burdens. The challenge is to determine whether arrhythmias are fully, partially, or at all responsible for an observed LV dysfunction. AiCM should be suspected in patients with mean heart rate >100 beats/min, atrial fibrillation, and/or premature ventricular contractions burden ≥10%. Reversal of cardiomyopathy by elimination of the arrhythmia confirms AiCM. Therapeutic choice depends on the culprit arrhythmia, patient comorbidities, and preferences. Following recovery of LV function, patients require continued follow-up if an abnormal myocardial substrate is present. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of AiCM is likely to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes and to reduce hospital admission and health care spending.

Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Cardiomyopathies; Humans; Patient Care; Recovery of Function; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

PubMed: 31072578
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.02.045

Review

Authors: Tiziana Ciarambino, Giovanni Menna, Gennaro Sansone...

BACKGROUND

Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of pathologies characterized by structural and functional alterations of the heart.

AIMS

The purpose of this narrative review is to focus on the most important cardiomyopathies and their epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.

METHODS

Clinical trials were identified by Pubmed until 30 March 2021. The search keywords were "cardiomyopathies, sudden cardiac arrest, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ARCV), takotsubo syndrome".

RESULTS

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common primary cardiomyopathy, with a prevalence of 1:500 persons. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has a prevalence of 1:2500 and is the leading indication for heart transplantation. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is the least common of the major cardiomyopathies, representing 2% to 5% of cases. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ARCV) is a pathology characterized by the substitution of the myocardium by fibrofatty tissue. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is defined as an abrupt onset of left ventricular dysfunction in response to severe emotional or physiologic stress.

CONCLUSION

In particular, it has been reported that HCM is the most important cause of sudden death on the athletic field in the United States. It is needless to say how important it is to know which changes in the heart due to physical activity are normal, and when they are pathological.

Topics: Cardiomyopathies; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Humans; Myocardium

PubMed: 34299342
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147722

Review

Authors: Yifan Wang, Hao Jia, Jiangping Song...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article aims to review the accurate classification of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, including the methods, basis, subtype characteristics, and prognosis, especially the similarities and differences between different classifications.

RECENT FINDINGS

Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy refers to a myocardial disease that excludes coronary artery disease or ischemic injury and has a variety of etiologies and high incidence. Recent studies suggest that traditional classification methods based on primary/mixed/acquired or genetic/non-genetic cannot meet the precise needs of contemporary clinical management. This article systematically describes the history of classifications of cardiomyopathy and presents etiological and genetic differences between cardiomyopathies. The accurate classification is described from the perspective of morphology, function, and genomics in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, left ventricular noncompaction, and partially acquired cardiomyopathy. The different clinical characteristics and treatment needs of these cardiomyopathies are elaborated. Some single-gene mutant cardiomyopathies have unique phenotypes, and some cardiomyopathies have mixed phenotypes. These special classifications require personalized precision treatment, which is worthy of independent research. This article describes recent advances in the accurate classification of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy from clinical phenotypes and causative genes, discusses the advantages and usage scenarios of each classification, compares the differences in prognosis and patient management needs of different subtypes, and summarizes common methods and new exploration directions for accurate classification.

Topics: Humans; Cardiomyopathies; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive; Phenotype

PubMed: 37721634
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01944-0

Review

Authors: Nisha A Gilotra, Jan M Griffin, Noelle Pavlovic...

The prevalence of sarcoidosis-related cardiomyopathy is increasing. Sarcoidosis impacts cardiac function through granulomatous infiltration of the heart, resulting in conduction disease, arrhythmia, and/or heart failure. The diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) can be challenging and requires clinician awareness as well as differentiation from overlapping diagnostic phenotypes, such as other forms of myocarditis and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Clinical manifestations, extracardiac involvement, histopathology, and advanced cardiac imaging can all lend support to a diagnosis of CS. The mainstay of therapy for CS is immunosuppression; however, no prospective clinical trials exist to guide management. Patients may progress to developing advanced heart failure or ventricular arrhythmia, for which ventricular assist device therapies or heart transplantation may be considered. The existing knowledge gaps in CS call for an interdisciplinary approach to both patient care and future investigation to improve mechanistic understanding and therapeutic strategies.

Topics: Cardiomyopathies; Heart Failure; Heart Transplantation; Humans; Myocarditis; Sarcoidosis

PubMed: 34260889
DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2021.06.016

Authors: Mark D Kittleson, Etienne Côté

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

The feline cardiomyopathies are the most prevalent type of heart disease in adult domestic cats. Several forms have been identified (see Parts 2 and 3), with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) being the most common. Clinically the cardiomyopathies are often indistinguishable. Cats with subclinical cardiomyopathy may or may not have characteristic physical examination findings (eg, heart murmur, gallop sound), or radiographic cardiomegaly. Cats with severe disease may develop signs of heart failure (eg, dyspnea, tachypnea) or systemic arterial thromboembolism (ATE; eg, pain and paralysis). Sudden death is possible. Treatment usually does not alter the progression from subclinical to clinical disease and often the treatment approach, once clinical signs are apparent, is the same regardless of the type of cardiomyopathy. However, differentiating cardiomyopathy from normal variation may be important prognostically.

PATIENT GROUP

Domestic cats of any age from 3 months upward, of either sex and of any breed, can be affected. Mixed-breed cats are most commonly affected but certain breeds are disproportionately prone to developing HCM.

DIAGNOSTICS

Subclinical feline cardiomyopathies may be suspected based on physical examination findings, thoracic radiographs and cardiac biomarker results but often the disease is clinically silent. The definitive clinical confirmatory test is echocardiography. Left heart failure (pulmonary edema and/or pleural effusion) is most commonly diagnosed radiographically, but point-of-care ultrasound and amino terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) biomarker testing can also be useful, especially when the stress of taking radiographs is best avoided.

KEY FINDINGS

Knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms helps the practitioner identify the feline cardiomyopathies and understand how these diseases progress and how they manifest clinically (heart failure, ATE). Existing diagnostic tests have strengths and limitations, and being aware of these can help a practitioner deliver optimal recommendations regarding referral.

CONCLUSIONS

Several types of feline cardiomyopathies exist in both subclinical (mild to severe disease) and clinical (severe disease) phases. Heart failure and ATE are the most common clinical manifestations of severe cardiomyopathy and are therapeutic targets regardless of the type of cardiomyopathy. The long-term prognosis is often guarded or poor once overt clinical manifestations are present.

AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY

Some cats with presumed cardiomyopathy do not have echocardiographic features that fit the classic cardiomyopathies (cardiomyopathy - nonspecific phenotype). Although no definitive treatment is usually available, understanding how cardiomyopathies evolve remains worthy of investigation.

Topics: Animals; Cardiomyopathies; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Cat Diseases; Cats; Echocardiography; Heart Diseases; Heart Failure

PubMed: 34693806
DOI: 10.1177/1098612X211021819