Forensic Pathology for Police - Brainshare Public Online Library

Cardiovascular System 221
Fig. 10.12 A longitudinal
section of a heart with
asymmetric left ventricular
hypertrophy. Note how the
interventricular septum (the
central portion that separates
the two cavities) is thicker
than the left ventricular free
wall (on the right side of
photo). This condition is
called “hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy,” but is
sometimes referred to as
idiopathic hypertrophic
subaortic stenosis (IHSS)
Fig. 10.13 A cross-section of a heart with dilated cardiomyopathy. Note how both the left and
right ventricular cavities are markedly enlarged (dilated). In this photograph, the right ventricle is
on the left, and the left ventricle is on the right
alcoholism, and viral infections. Other cases occur toward the end of or after pregnancy
(peripartum cardiomyopathy). In many cases, a definite underlying cause
cannot be determined, although genetic testing has revealed that many of these are
caused by underlying genetic mutations (similar to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).
In all types, sudden death is possible and is frequently attributed to a presumed
arrhythmia.
A specific subtype that primarily affects the right ventricle is referred to as
“arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy” or “arrhythmogenic right ventricular
dysplasia.” It is characterized by a markedly dilated right ventricular