[Morphologic findings in dilated cardiomyopathy].

For the morphological characterization of the architecture of the myocardium in dilatative cardiomyopathy hearts of deceased persons as well as after heart transplantation (explanted hearts) were investigated morphologically and histomorphometrically. Thereby could be stated that the cardiomegaly which accompanies this picture of the disease is caused by hypertrophy, increase of the number of collagenous fibres and dilatation of the ventricles. The morphometric investigations made evident that not all cells of the myocardium in the same way participate in the hypertrophy. As a result of the qualitative and quantitative morphological investigations could be stated that in the dilatative cardiomyopathy a particular form of the cardiac insufficiency is concerned which is characterized by an irreversible change of the architecture of the myocardium.