HEART MUSCLE DISEASES THE CARDIOMYOPATHIES PART lIIi CARDIOTOXICITY OF ALCOHOLISM

Abstract

Conclusions:
Thus it is obvious that alcohol when used even in non-intoxicating doses elicits a depress ion of cardiovascular function in normals and unhabituated subjects. The chronic alcohol usage results in deterioration progressing from isolated impariment of muscle function to stages characterized successively by impaired pump performance, cardiomegaly, sym ptomatology and eventually decompensation.

Finally, where facilities are available, prolonged bedrest may reduce the size of an cxcessively dilated heart and more importantly may contribute to control of alcohol intake.

Acknowledgement:
we gratefully acknowledge the technical services rendered by many of our colleagues, technicians and nurses in the human catheterization and animal support laboratories. We appreciate the secretarial services of Mrs. Charlotte Blocker in typing this manuscript.