Normalization of variables of left ventricular function in patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy after cessation of excessive alcohol intake: an echocardiographic study

Eur Heart J. 1987 May;8(5):535-40. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.eurheartj.a062314.

Abstract

An excessive alcohol intake has been reported as one of the possible causes or risk factors of 'alcoholic cardiomyopathy'. The possibility that this cardiomyopathy may improve or even reverse if the alcohol abuse has been terminated has been suggested, but unequivocal echocardiographic documentation of this improvement has never been described. This study reports the normalization of cardiac chamber dimensions and of variables of left ventricular function documented by M-mode and cross-sectional echocardiographic follow-up studies, after cessation of excessive consumption of alcohol, in three cases of alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / physiology*
  • Alcoholism / diagnosis
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation*
  • Cardiac Output / drug effects*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Alcoholic / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathy, Alcoholic / rehabilitation*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / rehabilitation
  • Echocardiography*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Failure / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Contraction / drug effects*