From the Guidelines
Dilated cardiomyopathy and eccentric hypertrophy are closely related cardiac conditions, with eccentric hypertrophy being a key structural feature of dilated cardiomyopathy, as evidenced by the most recent study in 2025 1. The relationship between dilated cardiomyopathy and eccentric hypertrophy is rooted in the pathological remodeling that occurs in the heart. In eccentric hypertrophy, the heart muscle cells elongate, causing the heart chambers to enlarge and dilate while the walls remain relatively thin. This pattern develops in response to volume overload conditions. Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by this eccentric hypertrophy pattern, where the heart becomes enlarged and stretched, with reduced contractile function.
- The heart's attempt to compensate for decreased function by increasing chamber size leads to eccentric hypertrophy, which is a key feature of dilated cardiomyopathy.
- The eccentric hypertrophy in dilated cardiomyopathy ultimately leads to reduced ejection fraction and heart failure symptoms as the enlarged heart becomes less efficient at pumping blood, as described in a previous study 1.
- The most recent study in 2025 1 highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between dilated cardiomyopathy and eccentric hypertrophy in the diagnosis and management of the condition.
- The study also notes that dilated cardiomyopathy encompasses a wide spectrum of aetiologies, ranging from overt DCM to intermediate phenotypes within the DCM spectrum, making it essential to consider eccentric hypertrophy in the diagnosis and management of the condition.
From the Research
Relationship Between Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Eccentric Hypertrophy
- Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart muscle becomes weak and the heart chambers enlarge, reducing the heart's ability to pump blood effectively 2.
- Eccentric hypertrophy, on the other hand, refers to an increase in the size of the heart chambers, often in response to volume overload, which can be a characteristic of dilated cardiomyopathy 3.
- Research suggests that eccentric hypertrophy can be a precursor to dilated cardiomyopathy, as the increased volume load on the heart can lead to remodeling and eventual dysfunction of the heart muscle 3.
- Studies have also shown that both hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy can result from genetic mutations affecting the cardiac sarcomere, highlighting a potential link between the two conditions 4.
- In athletes, eccentric hypertrophy can occur as a result of endurance training, which increases cardiac output and volume load on the heart, leading to a mild to moderate dilatation of the left ventricle 3.
- While the exact relationship between dilated cardiomyopathy and eccentric hypertrophy is complex, evidence suggests that they are related and can be influenced by similar underlying factors, such as genetic mutations and cardiac remodeling 2, 4, 3.