Dilated cardiomyopathy--new insights into the pathogenesis.

There is increasing evidence for a viral aetiology in many patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, although the term viral heart disease is not currently recognized in the WHO/ISFC classification of the cardiomyopathies. The prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy remains poor with a high morbidity and mortality. New insights into the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy and the effect of viruses on its prognosis, offer potential for future treatments to modify the natural history of the disease.