Dilated cardiomyopathy in the elderly

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the main type of cardiomyopathy, accounting for approximately 70%–80% of cases, and was formerly known as congestive cardiomyopathy. It is characterized by marked enlargement of the left ventricle or right ventricle, or biventricular enlargement, with left ventricular enlargement predominating in most cases. The basic features are cardiac enlargement, heart failure, arrhythmias, and embolism. Although it occurs in all age groups, the highest hospitalization rate is between ages 20 and 49. Approximately 20% of DCM patients have a family history of cardiomyopathy.