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The term “cardiomyopathy” is used to indicate myocardial dysfunction in the absence of an obstructive lesion or sustained hypertension. Cardiomyopathy can occur either in isolation or as a manifestation of a multisystem disease. Neonates who have an unrecognized cardiomyopathy may come to medical attention with a life-threatening decompensation associated with an otherwise minor illness, such as a viral upper respiratory infection. Alternatively, evidence of cardiomyopathy may be noted on an echocardiogram performed for evaluation of an unrelated problem. Other conditions cause ventricular dysfunction but may not have a long-term impact on cardiac muscle function, such as myocarditis or anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, and will be discussed at the end of the chapter.
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Mutations in multiple genes encoding proteins of the sarcomere, cytoskeleton, sarcoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, and cell membrane of the myocardial cell are now known to cause cardiomyopathy (Figure 9-1). More information regarding the structure and function of these proteins is presented in Chapter 2.
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Classification of cardiomyopathies is challenging and has evolved as new information has become available regarding causation. Classification based on phenotype (ventricular morphology and physiology) is practical because these characteristics are typically defined at the initial evaluation of the patient (Table 9-1). Phenotypic groups can be subdivided based on etiology (Tables 9-2, 9-3, 9-4). Unfortunately, specific causes of cardiomyopathy can present with different phenotypes in different patients or be associated with different phenotypes during the evolution of the disease in a specific patient, making classification by phenotype imperfect.
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