Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the ventricles of the heart become enlarged and the heart muscle weakens, reducing the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. On echocardiography, the hallmark findings are dilated left ventricular dimensions, reduced wall motion throughout the ventricle, and a decreased ejection fraction, which is a measure of pumping efficiency. Causes include viral infections, alcohol abuse, genetic factors, and sometimes the cause remains unknown. Echocardiography is essential for diagnosing this condition, monitoring its progression, detecting complications like mitral regurgitation and intracardiac thrombus, and guiding treatment decisions including whether a patient might benefit from an implantable cardiac device.
Sonography Term