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Cardiomyopathies, heart diseases of unknown origin, are a significant public health issue, especially in tropical regions. International collaboration and standardized terminology, like "idiopathic cardiomegaly," are crucial for effective study and management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Cardiomyopathies represent heart diseases with unknown causes and pathogenesis.
- These conditions are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, posing significant clinical and public health challenges.
- Previous informal meetings convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the need for international cooperation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review progress in cooperative studies on cardiomyopathies.
- To discuss different types of cardiomyopathies and diagnostic methods like coronary angiography.
- To establish standardized terminology for these heart conditions.
Main Methods:
- Convening informal meetings of international investigators coordinated by WHO.
- Reviewing progress reports from cooperating laboratories.
- Discussing experiences with cardiac registries and diagnostic techniques.
Main Results:
- Progress reports from cooperating laboratories were reviewed.
- Various types of cardiomyopathies were discussed.
- Steps were taken towards formulating a standard terminology for "cardiomegaly of unknown origin".
Conclusions:
- International cooperation is essential for studying cardiomyopathies.
- Standardized terminology, such as suggesting "idiopathic cardiomegaly," is needed to avoid confusion.
- The meeting facilitated the exchange of views and suggestions for future research and clinical practice.
Abstract:
Cardiomyopathies are certain heart diseases of unknown etiology and pathogenesis, occurring mostly in tropical and subtropical areas, where they constitute a major clinical problem and sometimes a public health problem. The need for international co-operation in the study of such forms of heart disease has long been recognized and WHO convened informal meetings of investigators on various aspects of the subject in 1964, 1965 and 1966. Out of these have arisen co-operative studies co-ordinated by WHO. In November 1967 a fourth informal meeting was held in Kingston, Jamaica, to review the following topics: the progress reports from all co-operating laboratories; the different types of cardiomyopathies; past experience with cardiac registries, and the diagnostic importance of coronary angiography. Steps were taken towards the formulation of a standard terminology, since too many confusing names are currently employed to mean "cardiomegaly of unknown origin". A common name, "idiopathic cardiomegaly", was therefore suggested for future use.The account presented here was prepared by Dr Z. Fejfar, Chief Medical Officer, Cardiovascular Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, on behalf of the other participants and is a précis of some of the information that was exchanged, some of the views that were expressed and of the suggestions that were made.