title: Simultaneous onset of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in identical middle-aged twins.
abstract: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a primary myocardial disease which is characterised by left ventricular, or biventricular, dilatation and impaired contractility. The precise aetiology is unknown and the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors is debated. We report two identical male twins of Caucasian origin with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy who presented within a few months of each other.
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Unit, South Cleveland Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Somasundram
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000209:etiology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left