[Familial idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy in 2 brothers with a similar course]

The course of idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy in two full brothers is described. The diagnosis was made on the base of the existing cardiomegaly, gallop rhythm and congestive cardiac insufficiency, in the absence of any connection with some of the well known causes for hypertrophy and dilation of the heart. It was confirmed at necropsy in one of the brothers. A similarity was established in their case history, namely: considerable physical activity until the first signs of cardiac insufficiency, advancement of decompensation at the same age (20 years) with an already existing cardiomegaly, identical complaints--rhythm disturbances and pulmonary thromboembolism, similar electrocardiographic changes with formation of "pseudoinfarct" image, ventricular flutter--immediate cause for the death of one of the brothers, sudden death--for the other. The origination of the disease cannot be associated with the effect of exogenous morbid factors. There are no data on advancing of autoimmune process. With the genealogical study, covering four generations, the family was established to have a stillborn child, no other sick members of the family, no data about multiple deaths. The cytogenetic analysis showed no chromosomal aberrations. The possibility the disease to be transmitted via autosomal recessive mode or via autosomal-dominant gene with a low penetration is discussed.