ABSTRACT
The cardiomyopathies are a diverse group of disorders characterized by structural abnormalities of the heart muscle, many of which have a genetic component. Abnormalities may be anatomic (dilatation, thickened, or stiff musculature), histologic (manifested by fiber disarray, fibrofatty dysplasia, or fibrosis) or functional (systolic or diastolic dysfunction). Dilated cardiomyopathies (DCM) are characterized by left ventricular (LV) enlargement and impaired systolic function. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of DCM in association with pregnancy in the absence of structural heart disease or another explanation for DCM. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by LV hypertrophy in the absence of another explanatory cardiac or systemic disease. The cardiomyopathies encompass a wide spectrum of diseases with genetic and phenotypic overlap. Overlap of normal symptoms of pregnancy can mimic symptoms of heart failure so it is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for cardiac decompensation.
