Abstract

Cardiomyopathies are heart muscle diseases which affect the heart muscle and frequently result in congestive heart failure. Five major forms can be distinguished: dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, right ventricular, and non-classifiable cardiomyopathies with distinct hemodynamic properties. The new WHO/WHF definition also comprises inflammatory cardiomyopathy, defined as myocarditis in association with cardiac dysfunction. Idiopathic, autoimmune, and infectious forms of inflammatory cardiomyopathy were recognized in addition. Viral cardiomyopathy has been defined as viral persistence in a dilated heart. It may be accompanied by myocardial inflammation and then termed inflammatory viral cardiomyopathy (or viral myocarditis with cardiomegaly). If no inflammation is observed in the biopsy of a dilated heart (<14 lymphocytes and macrophages/mm2) the term viral cardiomyopathy or viral persistence in dilated cardiomyopathy is appropriate.

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