[Progression from latent cardiomyopathy to dilated cardiomyopathy: a review of five cases].
We report 5 patients, who had no cardiac abnormalities at their initial evaluation but progressed to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) during a mean follow-up period of 8.2 years. Their echocardiograms revealed increases in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimensions, deterioration of LV contractions, and reduction in the LV wall thickness. Electrocardiographic changes were developed of rhythm disturbances, intensified ST-segment and T-wave changes, and the prolonged QRS durations. These findings, especially those of electrocardiography, seemed to be important for an early detection and characterization of DCM.
Takarada
A
A
Department of Cardiology, Himeji Cardiovascular Center.
Kurogane
H
H
Minamiji
K
K
Itoo
S
S
Mori
T
T
Hayashi
T
T
Fujimoto
T
T
Yoshida
Y
Y
Yokota
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged