title: The role of echocardiography in guiding management in dilated cardiomyopathy.
abstract: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common and malignant condition, which carries a poor long-term prognosis. Underlying disease aetiologies are varied, and often carry specific implications for treatment and prognosis. The role of echocardiography is essential in not only establishing the diagnosis, but also in defining the aetiology, and understanding the pathophysiology. This article therefore explores the pivotal role of echocardiography in the evaluation and management of patients with DCM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK.
authors.forename: Dewi E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Zaheer R
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Yousef
authors.forename: Navroz D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Masani
mesh_terms: D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis