Table 1

Etiology and diagnostic tools in Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Causes
% of cases
Diagnostic tools

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

Taylor et al. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 2006 1:27   doi:10.1186/1750-1172-1-27