In dilated cardiomyopathy histology, which pattern is typical?

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Multiple Choice

In dilated cardiomyopathy histology, which pattern is typical?

In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart’s chambers dilate and systolic function is reduced, and the tissue shows loss of myocytes with replacement by fibrous scar tissue, often accompanied by some fat (adipose) infiltration within the myocardium. This fibrofatty replacement reflects chronic injury and scarring as the myocardium remodels, which underlies the poor contractility. This pattern helps distinguish dilated cardiomyopathy from other conditions: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy typically shows myocyte disarray and marked hypertrophy rather than fibrofatty replacement; acute processes like edema alone or necrosis without fibrosis are not the defining chronic histology of dilated cardiomyopathy; calcification without other changes is not characteristic.

In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart’s chambers dilate and systolic function is reduced, and the tissue shows loss of myocytes with replacement by fibrous scar tissue, often accompanied by some fat (adipose) infiltration within the myocardium. This fibrofatty replacement reflects chronic injury and scarring as the myocardium remodels, which underlies the poor contractility. This pattern helps distinguish dilated cardiomyopathy from other conditions: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy typically shows myocyte disarray and marked hypertrophy rather than fibrofatty replacement; acute processes like edema alone or necrosis without fibrosis are not the defining chronic histology of dilated cardiomyopathy; calcification without other changes is not characteristic.

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