Table 1 Etiology and diagnostic tools in Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Frequent

Idiopathic/Familial DCM

20 – 50

family history, echocardiogram, detailed evaluation of first degree relatives, coronary angiography, endomyocardial biopsy

Ischemic DCM

50 – 70

history, coronary angiography

Valvular DCM

1.5 – 4

echocardiogram, physical exam

Hypertensive DCM

2 – 4

physical exam, echocardiogram showing hypertrophy

Alcoholic

3 – 40

history of excessive alcohol use

Myocarditis

5 – 10

history compatible with viral myocarditis, endomyocardial biopsy

Rare

2–3

Peripartum

history

Amyloidosis

echocardiogram, endomyocardial biopsy, rectal/fat pad biopsy

Hemochromatosis

extra-cardiac signs, endomyocardial biopsy, iron studies

Sarcoidosis

extra-cardiac signs, endomyocardial biopsy

Doxorubicin toxicity

history of exposure to doxorubicin

Other toxic substances

history

Metabolic DCM

laboratory tests, pediatric age