ABSTRACT
Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group o f primary myocardial disorders characterized by impaired ventricular function (1). These are traditionally classified as dilated, hypertrophic, or restrictive based on anatomical and hemodynamic features. Dilated cardiomyopathies are the most common form of cardiomyopathies and occur with an estimated prevalence o f 36.5 per 100,000 individuals in the population (2). Diagnosis o f this disorder is based on findings o f cardiac chamber dilation and depressed ventricular contractil ity. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathies are defined by an increase in myocardial mass with myocyte and myofibrillar disarray. This pathology perturbs both diastolic and systolic function. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is estimated to be present in 19.7 per 100,000 individuals (2). Restrictive cardiomyopathies are the least common o f these disorders. These are characterized by normal cardiac structure and abnormal ventricular diastolic function with preserved systolic function.
