ABSTRACT
Cardiomyopathy comprises a heterogeneous group of diseases that directly involve the heart muscle resulting in an abnormally thickened, enlarged, or stiff heart. Recent classifications (1) are based on ongoing developments in understanding the underlying mechanisms. Figure 11.1 summarizes the classification of the cardiomyopathies. This chapter will review the typical cardiomyopathies; dilated, hypertrophied, and restrictive as well as the atypical, apical, and noncompaction.
