Dilated cardiomyopathy in childhood: problems of diagnosis and long-term follow-up

Eur Heart J. 1987 Feb;8(2):100-5. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.eurheartj.a062236.

Abstract

Clinical profile and course of 13 infants and children (median age 2 years, range 2 months to 17 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy are presented. Endocardial fibroelastosis and myocarditis were excluded by transvascular endomyocardial biopsy. Elevated cardio-thoracic ratio (mean 0.67), depressed fractional shortening (mean 13%) and cardiac index (mean 2.52 l min-1 m-2) were the indicators of congestive heart failure. During a mean follow-up of 41 months (range 6 to 204 months) five patients died, four remained in a stable condition, four improved. The main complications were rhythm disturbances (23%) and thrombus formation (15%). We could not identify any predictors of survival.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biopsy
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / diagnosis*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / drug therapy
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Electrocardiography
  • Endocardium / pathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Myocardium / pathology