[Etiopathogenesis and classification of dilated cardiomyopathy]

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a diffuse disease of the myocardium, with systolic dysfunction and ventricular enlargement which is clinically expressed as heart failure and sudden death. A variety of etiologies, including myocardial diseases produced by specific local or systemic disorders can cause this syndrome. The etiological diagnosis is very difficult in the clinical setting. Because the progression of the disease is potentially reversible, discovering the cause, if possible, seems very interesting. The basic pathogenic mechanisms are not well known. The different etiopathogenic hypotheses, viral, immunological, genetic, and toxic are not incompatible and may even be complementary. Research through immunogenetical and molecular biology techniques is the key to understanding the basic mechanisms. The usefulness of genetic therapy is under investigation.