Cardiodepressive effects of alcohol.

UNLABELLED: The toxic effect of alcohol on the heart was recognized long time ago. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cardiodepressive effect of alcohol in our in-patients and compare the obtained results with those in the literature.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 187 patients (184 men and 3 women) aged 30 to 75 years and followed-up for 8 years. All patients underwent a series of biochemical and hematological test and paraclinical investigations.

RESULTS

Our study demonstrates the toxic effects of alcohol on the contractile function of the myocardium, and the deterioration of the global left-ventricular contractile function in all patients. In all our patients the following were found: enlarged cardiac chambers, increased left ventricular mass, systolic dysfunction (reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and shortening fraction), diffuse left ventricular hypokinesis, normal or thickened wall, and signs and symptoms of heart failure.

CONCLUSION

The severity of the clinical symptoms and the results of the performed examinations were directly related to the amount and duration of alcohol consumption.