[The congestive cardiomiopathy. A clinical study of the hypotrophic-hypokinetic forms (congestive) (author's transl)].

Based on classifications proposed by Anglosaxon and French authors who were the first to become interested in the so-called cardiomyopathies of unknown origins, 41 cases clinically classified as hypotrophic-hypokinetic (congestive) cardiomyopathies are presented. After a period of clinical observation, 21 cases were studied hemodynamically, with ventriculography and coronaryarteriography, with phonocardiography (35 cases) and follow-up from some months to 6 years. Post mortem studies were performed in 6 patients, five of whom died of congestive heart failure or thromboembolism and one of sudden death. It was concluded that these entities are hypotrophic-hypokinetic cardiomyopathies with a clinical pattern of congestive heart failure and with unknown aethiologic factors. Treatment as far as indications and efficacy are discussed.