Familial dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy: occurrence in two brothers and an overview of the literature

Summary Two young White brothers had dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy. The elder came to autopsy after a chronic course of congestive cardiac failure; the younger underwent repeated cardiac catheterization and transvenous right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy specimens demonstrated histopathological features in keeping with a diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. These brothers may have the familial form of the disease, although post-viral myo­ carditis cardiomyopathy cannot be entirely excluded. The literature relating to familial dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy is reviewed. S Afr Med J 1984; 66: 26-30.