Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cardiac diagnosis that may result as a consequence of a variety of pathologies. The differential diagnosis remains quite broad since many pathologies can present as DCM, and as a result the approach to diagnosis may, at times, be quite difficult. This review article discusses genetic and acquired causes of DCM, pathophysiology of myocardial damage, pathology, and diagnostic criteria. An approach to management is also included, in the hope of informing physicians of a clinical entity that afflicts a substantial number of people worldwide.
Pericardial tumors are rare. A majority of the reported cases are metastatic in nature and indicate a poor prognosis. Primary tumors of the pericardium are extremely rare and occur in a broad age range. This review describes several of the more common lesions: germ cell tumors, solitary fibroma, pericardial mesothelioma, and metastatic disease.
BACkGRounD: Heart transplantation remains the last treatment option for patients with end-stage cardiac disease. Such diseases include ischemic cardiomyopathy, nonischemic cardiomyopathy and other conditions such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, cardiac sarcoidosis and cardiac amyloidosis. oBJECTivE: To review the changes that have occurred over time in the etiology of heart disease in patients requiring heart transplantation, and to compare the clinical and histological diagnoses of explanted hearts from patients with progressive cardiac disease.
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