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World J Cardiol. Aug 26, 2014; 6(8): 771-781
Published online Aug 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i8.771
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Gonzalo Guzzo-Merello, Marta Cobo-Marcos, Maria Gallego-Delgado, Pablo Garcia-Pavia
Gonzalo Guzzo-Merello, Marta Cobo-Marcos, Maria Gallego-Delgado, Pablo Garcia-Pavia, Heart Failure and Inherited Cardiac Diseases Unit, Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, 28222 Madrid, Spain
Author contributions: Guzzo-Merello G reviewed the literature, interpreted the data, and wrote the manuscript; Cobo-Marcos M, and Gallego-Delgado M interpreted the data and contributed to the writing of the manuscript; Garcia-Pavia P was involved in the drafting of the manuscript and revising it critically for important intellectual content; Guzzo-Merello G and Garcia-Pavia P are responsible for the overall content and take responsibility for the final submission.
Supported by The Spanish Ministry of Health, No. PI11/0699 and RD12/0042/0066
Correspondence to: Pablo Garcia-Pavia, MD, PhD, Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Manuel de Falla, 2. Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain. pablogpavia@yahoo.es
Telephone: +34-911-917297 Fax: +34-911-917718
Received: December 28, 2013
Revised: May 15, 2014
Accepted: May 28, 2014
Published online: August 26, 2014
Abstract

Alcohol is the most frequently consumed toxic substance in the world. Low to moderate daily intake of alcohol has been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. In contrast, exposure to high levels of alcohol for a long period could lead to progressive cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Cardiac dysfunction associated with chronic and excessive alcohol intake is a specific cardiac disease known as alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM). In spite of its clinical importance, data on ACM and how alcohol damages the heart are limited. In this review, we evaluate available evidence linking excessive alcohol consumption with heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we discuss the clinical presentation, prognosis and treatment of ACM.

Keywords: Alcohol, Alcoholic cardiomyopathy, Dilated cardiomyopathy, Heart failure

Core tip: Cardiac dysfunction associated with excessive alcohol intake is a specific cardiac disease known as alcoholic cardiomyopathy. In spite of its clinical importance, data on alcoholic cardiomyopathy and how alcohol damages the heart are limited. In this review, we evaluate available evidence linking excessive alcohol consumption with heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we discuss the clinical presentation, prognosis and treatment of alcoholic cardiomyopathy.