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[Diagnostic algorithm of idiopathic cardiomyopathy]
1Department of Cardiology, Heart Institute of Japan, Tokyo Women's Medical University.
Insights
This review outlines the diagnostic algorithm for idiopathic cardiomyopathy, starting with primary care screening for cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmia. Further evaluation with echocardiography and other methods helps confirm diagnosis and exclude secondary causes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Abstract:
In this review, diagnostic algorithm of idiopathic cardiomyopathy is discussed. In the primary care, most of the patients with cardiomyopathy are initially found by signs and symptoms of systolic/diastolic cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmia, and the myocardial involvement is recognized by chest roentgenogram and electrocardiogram. In the next step, echocardiography is extremely useful to confirm cardiac size, ventricular hypertrophy, systolic/diastolic function and structural abnormalities. After this examination, detailed diagnostic approaches including invasive strategy can be planned to each type of cardiomyopathy(DCM, HCM, RCM, ARVC). In each case, any etiology to develop myocardial disorder should be carefully examined to exclude secondary cardiomyopathy.