05-31-2007, 02:50 PM
An 80-year-old woman presents with dyspnea on exertion. On physical examination, her blood pressure is 100/70 mm Hg, and her pulse is 75. She has no pulsus paradoxus. Her jugular veins are distended, and she has distant heart sounds. In addition, she has extra third and fourth heart sounds. Her liver is enlarged, and she has pedal edema. She has occasional premature ventricular contractions on her ECG. A chest x-ray reveals clear lung fields with a dilated cardiac silhouette. Her echocardiogram reveals ventricular walls with a "speckled pattern. " Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
B. Amyloidosis
C. Hemochromatosis
D. Tuberculosis
E. Viral myocarditis
A. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
B. Amyloidosis
C. Hemochromatosis
D. Tuberculosis
E. Viral myocarditis