Position papers and consensus documents
Genetic counselling and testing in cardiomyopathies: a position statement of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases
Eur Heart J (2010) 31 (22): 2715-2726.
doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehq271
Authors: Philippe Charron, Michael Arad, Eloisa Arbustini, Cristina Basso, Zofia Bilinska, Perry Elliott, Tiina Helio, Andre Keren, William J. McKenna, Lorenzo Monserrat, Sabine Pankuweit, Andreas Perrot, Claudio Rapezzi, Arsen Ristic, Hubert Seggewiss, Irene van Langen and Luigi Tavazzi
Abstract
Advances in molecular genetics present new opportunities and challenges for cardiologists who manage patients and families with cardiomyopathies. The aims of this position statement of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases are to review the general issues related to genetic counselling, family screening and genetic testing in families with a cardiomyopathy, and to provide key messages and suggestions for clinicians involved in their management.
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Current state of knowledge on aetiology, diagnosis, management, and therapy of peripartum cardiomyopathy: a position statement from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on peripartum cardiomyopathy
Eur J Heart Fail (2010) 12 (8): 767-778.
doi: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfq120
Authors: Karen Sliwa, Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner, Mark C. Petrie, Alexandre Mebazaa, Burkert Pieske, Eckhart Buchmann, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Maria Schaufelberger, Luigi Tavazzi, Dirk J. van Veldhuisen, Hugh Watkins, Ajay J. Shah, Petar M. Seferovic, Uri Elkayam, Sabine Pankuweit, Zoltan Papp, Frederic Mouquet and John J.V. McMurray
Abstract
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a cause of pregnancy-associated heart failure. It typically develops during the last month of, and up to 6 months after, pregnancy in women without known cardiovascular disease. The present position statement offers a state-of-the-art summary of what is known about risk factors for potential pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentation of, and diagnosis and management of PPCM. A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis, as shortness of breath and ankle swelling are common in the peripartum period. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a distinct form of cardiomyopathy, associated with a high morbidity and mortality, but also with the possibility of full recovery. Oxidative stress and the generation of a cardiotoxic subfragment of prolactin may play key roles in the pathophysiology of PPCM. In this regard, pharmacological blockade of prolactin offers the possibility of a disease-specific therapy.
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Classification of the cardiomyopathies: a position statement from the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases
Eur. Heart J., January 2008; 29: 270 - 276.
Authors: Perry Elliott, Bert Andersson, Eloisa Arbustini, Zofia Bilinska, Franco Cecchi, Philippe Charron, Olivier Dubourg, Uwe Kühl, Bernhard Maisch, William J. McKenna, Lorenzo Monserrat, Sabine Pankuweit, Claudio Rapezzi, Petar Seferovic, Luigi Tavazzi, and Andre Keren
Abstract
In biology, classification systems are used to promote understanding and systematic discussion through the use of logical groups and hierarchies. In clinical medicine, similar principles are used to standardise the nomenclature of disease. For more than three decades, heart muscle diseases have been classified into primary or idiopathic myocardial diseases (cardiomyopathies) and secondary disorders that have similar morphological appearances, but which are caused by an identifiable pathology such as coronary artery disease or myocardial infiltration (specific heart muscle diseases). In this document, The European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases presents an update of the existing classification scheme. The aim is to help clinicians look beyond generic diagnostic labels in order to reach more specific diagnoses.
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Clinical Expert Consensus Document on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
ESC Practice Guidelines - 2003
Authors: B. J. Maron and W. J. McKenna (Chairpersons), G. K. Danielson, L. J. Kappenberger, H. J. Kuhn, C. E. Seidman, P. M. Shah, W. H. Spencer III, P. Spirito, F. J. Ten Cate, E. D. Wigle