[Early and progressing alcohol cardiomyopathy]

Abstract

The subjects of the study were 10 young men who had taken about 40 g of alcohol (group 1) and 26 ones who had taken more than 80 g (group 2) one day before the hospitalization. Heart changes on days 3, 4, and 5 after the alcohol intake were studied using ECG, radiography, and ultrasonography; some functional tests reflecting hepatic and renal condition were performed as well. No changes were found in group 1, while certain functional ECG changes were revealed in group 2 patients; these changes were associated with acute toxic alcohol myocardial dystrophy. Group 3 consisted of subjects aged 53 +/- 1 years who had been taking 120 to 160 g of alcohol a week systematically for not less than 5 to 8 years. These subjects displayed signs of mental depression and progressing alcohol toxic cardiomyopathy (constant atrial fibrillation, cardiac blockade, cardial enlargement, and signs of circulatory insufficiency). Four subjects died as a result of alcohol abuse.