Which is the most common form of cardiomyopathy?

Which is the most common form of cardiomyopathy?

• A. Hypertrophic
• B. Dilated
• C. Restrictive
• D. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular

Answer: (B)

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form. It shows dilation of the ventricles with impaired systolic function, so the heart’s pumping ability is reduced and patients often present with heart failure symptoms. It accounts for the majority of cardiomyopathy cases seen in adults and can be idiopathic or due to familial disease, viral myocarditis, toxins like alcohol or certain medications, among other causes. On imaging, especially echocardiography, you’d see an enlarged left ventricle with a reduced ejection fraction. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common inherited form, but overall it’s less frequent than the dilated type. The restrictive form and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy are much rarer.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form. It shows dilation of the ventricles with impaired systolic function, so the heart’s pumping ability is reduced and patients often present with heart failure symptoms. It accounts for the majority of cardiomyopathy cases seen in adults and can be idiopathic or due to familial disease, viral myocarditis, toxins like alcohol or certain medications, among other causes. On imaging, especially echocardiography, you’d see an enlarged left ventricle with a reduced ejection fraction.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common inherited form, but overall it’s less frequent than the dilated type. The restrictive form and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy are much rarer.