Dilated cardiomyopathy
LV dilatation and systolic dysfunction without coronary or loading cause. Genetic and acquired causes, MRI and genetic testing, LMNA disease, ICD decisions after DANISH, and peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Tier 2Condition
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- LV dilatation and systolic dysfunction not explained by coronary disease or abnormal loading (hypertension, valve disease, congenital heart disease).
- Prevalence about 1 in 250 to 500. The commonest cause of non-ischaemic HFrEF and the commonest indication for heart transplant.
- Up to a third of cases are familial. Many others are acquired, and often both apply (a gene variant plus alcohol or pregnancy).
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Sources
- Arbelo E, Protonotarios A, Gimeno JR et al. 2023 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiomyopathies. Eur Heart J 2023;44:3503-3626. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad194European Society of Cardiology, 2023
- Zeppenfeld K, Tfelt-Hansen J, de Riva M et al. 2022 ESC Guidelines for the management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Eur Heart J 2022;43:3997-4126European Society of Cardiology, 2022
- Køber L, Adamo M et al. 2026 ESC Guidelines for the management of heart failure. Eur Heart J 2026. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehag100European Society of Cardiology, 2026
- Position statement on the diagnosis and management of familial dilated cardiomyopathyAU/NZCardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (Heart, Lung and Circulation 2017;26(11)), 2016
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed): enalapril, spironolactone, eplerenone, sacubitril and empagliflozin entriesUS National Library of Medicine (NCBI Bookshelf), accessed November 2026
- Køber L, Thune JJ, Nielsen JC et al. Defibrillator implantation in patients with nonischemic systolic heart failure (DANISH). N Engl J Med 2016;375:1221-1230New England Journal of Medicine, 2016
- 2025 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease and pregnancyEuropean Society of Cardiology (European Heart Journal, doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf193), 2025
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Personal emails, About story and Australian-style copy