Preface

The World Health Organization, in defining cardiomyopathy, recognizes that ventricular dysfunction can result from volume and/or pressure overload in valve disease or to control hypertension. Severe ventricular dysfunction can also be the result of coronary artery disease with subsequent loss of viable myocardium. These conditions are what define specific cardiomyopathies, however, there are several intrinsic disorders of the myocardium itself that can lead to different types of cardiomyopathies.

This book highlights some of the unique types of cardiomyopathies. It starts with a brief introduction in Chapter 1 highlighting the peculiar features of the pump function of the heart, followed by a review of metabolic syndromes and cardiomyopathy that is included in two chapters. Chapter 2 discusses the biomarkers of metabolic syndrome and Chapter 3 is a review of the effects of diabetes mellitus on the conduction system of the heart.

Chapter 4 highlights the surgical perspectives of left ventricular septal myectomy along with the various tips and pitfalls of the technique. Chapter 5 is a review of cardiac amyloidosis as an example of infiltrative cardiomyopathies. Chapter 6 discusses pediatric cardiomyopathies. The final section includes four additional chapters that highlight some miscellaneous topics related to cardiomyopathies. Chapter 2 examines imaging modalities for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, while Chapter 8 reviews the effects of stimulants on the heart and the countereffect that beta-blockers may have. Chapters 8 and 9 discuss left ventricular non-compaction. Finally, Chapter 10 presents a discussion about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system.

I am very grateful to all the contributing authors for their excellent chapters, as well as the editorial staff at IntechOpen.

> **Sameh M. Said, MBBCh, MD, FACC, FACS** Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA

Chief, Division of Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA

> Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA

**1**

Section 1

Introduction

Section 1 Introduction
