[Cardio-thoracic index: marker of the clinical course of alcoholic dilated cardiomyopathy].

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a principal form of secondary dilated cardiomyopathy, can ensue from heavy consumption of alcohol over a long period of time. In harmful consumption, alcohol and its metabolites has a toxic effect on heart muscle cells. The clinical features include dilatation of the left ventricle, poor myocardial contractility and symptoms of heart failure. The heart and lung X-ray examination is required in all disease stages. The information gathered from this cheap and noninvasive investigation method, are very important in the diagnosis algorithm. In the ACM stages beginning, before the installation of the heart failure symptoms, it is possible to found normal dimensions of the heart, which is compatible with the alcoholic cardiomyopathy diagnosis. Specific for dilated alcoholic cardiomyopathy is the reversible character of cardiomegaly, objectified through the reduction of the cardio-thoracic index in conditions of alcohol abstinence and adequate treatment of the heart failure.