The value of echocardiography in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy refers to a group of diseases characterized by structural and functional abnormalities of the myocardium, which often lead to severe outcomes such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The etiology of cardiomyopathies is multifactorial and includes genetic predispositions, metabolic and endocrine disorders, infections, toxic exposures, autoimmune diseases, and environmental or physicochemical factors. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and disease management. Among the various diagnostic modalities, echocardiography has become the preferred tool for clinical diagnosis of cardiomyopathies due to its non-invasive nature, real-time imaging capabilities, and ease of use. It plays a pivotal role in the management guidelines for cardiomyopathies both nationally and internationally. This comment aims to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of echocardiography in cardiomyopathy, discuss its advantages and limitations, and consider future directions for its development in clinical practice.