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Contribution of Environmental Toxins in the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Cardiomyopathies

  • Heart Failure (W Tang, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Opinion statement

The pathogenesis of idiopathic cardiomyopathies is likely highly complex and remains elusive. Environmental toxins have been hypothesized to possibly cause a subset of cardiomyopathies. Epidemiological, preclinical, and small clinical studies have investigated the role of numerous elements and compounds in the pathogenesis of these myocardial disorders. In this review, we present the evidence implicating elements and environmental compounds in myocardial toxicity, including antimony, cobalt, mercury, aluminum, copper, and acrolein. We discuss their sources, toxic effects, and epidemiology, as well as identify groups at risk for toxic exposure. Through our discussion, we highlight areas where further investigation into the clinical effects of these possible toxins is warranted.

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References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgments

This work is supported in part by National Institutes of Health grant R01HL103931.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Antonio L. Perez declares no potential conflicts of interest.

Dr. Wilson Tang is a section editor for Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Section of Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk J3-4, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Antonio L. Perez MD, MBA & W. H. Wilson Tang MD

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  1. Antonio L. Perez MD, MBA
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Correspondence to W. H. Wilson Tang MD.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Heart Failure

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Perez, A.L., Tang, W.H.W. Contribution of Environmental Toxins in the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Cardiomyopathies. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med 17, 19 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-015-0381-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-015-0381-2

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