title: Cardiomyopathies encountered commonly in the teenage years and their presentation.
abstract: Cardiomyopathy encompasses a broad range of inherited and acquired abnormalities affecting the myocardium. This heterogeneous group of disorders is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the adolescent patient as a result of the presence of systolic or diastolic dysfunction, as well as the risk of coexisting arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. It is important for the primary care physician involved in the care of adolescents to understand the different causes of cardiomyopathy and their typical clinical presentations. The cause, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and diagnostic evaluation for adolescents with cardiomyopathy are reviewed. An overview of treatment modalities is also presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, 2055 High Street, Suite 255, Denver, CO 80205, USA. Electronic address: michael_pettersen@pediatrix.com.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pettersen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans
keywords: Arrhythmia; Cardiomyopathy; Heart failure; Sudden death