Cardiomyopathy

"Myocardial diseases are a common cause of heart failure, arrhythmia, and cardiovascular mortality in the dog. The most common of the canine myocardial diseases represent “primary” disorders of the myocardium. These are manifested as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), or both problems. ACM is characterized by recurrent atrial arrhythmias, lone atrial fibrillation (AF), or by ventricular ectopia without obvious echocardiographic evidence of myocardial failure. DCM is typified initially by asymptomatic decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (so called occult DCM) followed by progressive left ventricular dysfunction culminating in congestive heart failure (CHF). Sudden cardiac death can occur in either form. Most cases of cardiomyopathy are influenced by genetic factors, including breed, body size, and sex." Link: http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00034.htm