[Cardiogenic shock in dilated cardiomyopathy]

The present communication is based on an examination of 33 cases with dilated cardiomyopathy and 48 with severe myocarditis. Nine patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were diagnosed as having developed cardiogenic shock. Clinical examination, echocardiography, right heart and pulmonary artery probing were performed. Cardiogenic shock in dilated cardiomyopathy was demonstrated to be characterized by a progressive decrease in cardiac contractility, no increase in peripheral vascular resistance, and high pulmonary hypertension. Profound cardiomyocyte alterations followed by increased fibrosis of intermuscular and perivascular spaces contribute to the development of cardiogenic shock in dilated cardiomyopathy.