Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: What is known and what is not known

作者：Mirijello Antonio^*; Tarli Claudia; Vassallo Gabriele Angelo; Sestito Luisa; Antonelli Mariangela; d'Angelo Cristina; Ferrulli Anna; De Cosmo Salvatore; Ga**arrini Antonio; Addolorato Giovanni

来源：European Journal of Internal Medicine, 2017, 43: 1-5.

DOI：10.1016/j.ejim.2017.06.014

• Alcohol
• Ethanol
• Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
• Alcohol use disorder
• AUD

Excessive alcohol consumption represents one of the main causes of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is characterized by dilation and impaired contraction of one or both myocardial ventricles. It represents the final effect of alcohol-induced toxicity to the heart. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed at the basis of alcohol-induced damage, most of which are still object of research. Unfortunately, symptoms of alcoholic cardiomyopathy are not specific and common to other forms of heart failure and appear when dilatation and systolic dysfunction are consolidated. Thus, early diagnosis is mandatory to prevent the development and progression to heart failure.
Although physicians are aware of this disease, several pitfalls in the diagnosis, natural history, prognosis and treatment are still present. The aim of this narrative review is to describe clinical characteristics of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, highlighting the areas of uncertainty.

• 出版日期2017-9