Clinical presentation and electrocardiographic characteristics of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

 

Sadanand D Kamble¹, Rajesh R Bobade^2*

 

^1,2Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Latur, Maharashtra, INDIA.

Email: sadakamble@gmail.com

 

Abstract              Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy is being recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortalitydue to increased awareness along with improvement in diagnostic techniques. Present study was undertaken to focus on dilated cardiomyopathy in Indian patients and to look for correlation between clinical and electrocardiographic features. Material and Methods: The present study was performed in 50 patients of dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosed by echocardiography either admitted in a teaching hospital or attending cardiology clinic. Detail history and clinical examination was done in each patient. Standard 12 lead electrocardiograms were recorded as 25 mm per second and 1 mV per cm standardization. Results: All ages were affected but elderly and middle aged population were predominantly affected. Etiology could not be found in 42% of patients but alcohol was associated risk factor in 36 % of the patients. Dyspnea was invariably present in all patients followed by fatigability, swelling over feet, cough. Raised JVP, edema over feet, gallop rhythm, systolic murmur, congestive hepatomegaly and respiratory rales were common findings.Left axis deviation, LVH, bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation were common ECG abnormalities. Conclusion: Clinical and ECG characteristics areuseful indicesthat may reflect the severity and progression of DCM.

Key Words: Dilated cardiomyopathy, dyspnea,electrocardiography, left ventricular hypertrophy.