Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: Advances in aetiology, pathogenesis and management

In most cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in the dog (and in man) the aetiology is unknown; these cases are designated idiopathic. Recent advances, particularly in the field of molecular biology, are providing a better understanding of the natural history of the disease and are shedding light on possible primary causes of dilated cardiomyopathy as well as some of the factors which may be responsible for the progressive nature of the disease process. Armed with this information, more specific therapeutic regimes can be developed with the aim of stopping or reversing myocardial damage. The use of skeletal muscle to assist the failing myocardium may offer a practical means of improving a patient's cardiovascular status, particularly in cases where conventional medical therapy is failing to control the progression of the clinical signs.