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Pathology
Dilated and weakened heart muscle
Aetiology
Excessive alcohol use, hypertension, viral infection, autoimmune disease
Signs
Tachycardia, tachypnoea, peripheral cyanosis, basal crepitations, hepatomegaly
raised JVP, hypotension, S3 gallop and pleural effusion
Symptoms
Dyspnoea, Right Ventricular Failure, fatigue, AF, VT, ascites
Investigations
Bloods: U&E, LFT, TFT, Iron studies, Autoimmune studies, Infection screen
Chest X-Ray: Cardiomegaly, pulmonary oedema
ECG: Assess for potential cause, may show tachycardia
Echo: global dilatation with hypokinesis
Treatment
Treat heart failure, CRT, anticoagulation, cardiac transplantation
Prognosis
50% mortality over 2 years.
Tachyarrhythmia causing sudden cardiac death, LV thrombus or valve
dysfunction
Key Facts
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Key Images
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Key References
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