Dilated Cardiomyopathy With Conduction Disease and Arrhythmia

Patients with DCM presenting with a disproportionately high burden of arrhythmia or conduction disease (DCM+E) have unique diagnostic considerations, including inflammatory, infectious, genetic, and infiltrative processes. Correct recognition of the underlying cause may have important therapeutic and prognostic implications. Although established diagnostic criteria are available for several of the specific disorders, definitive diagnosis may not be possible without supportive histopathology or genetic testing. Patients with DCM+E are at high risk of sudden death, and consideration should be given to ICD implantation, even in the absence of traditional indications. © 2010 American Heart Association, Inc.