DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN CHILDREN: MODERN DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES

Pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy remains a leading cause of severe congestive heart failure and the most common indication for heart transplantation in childhood. While traditional guidelines provide a baseline for care, they frequently fall short due to the highly heterogeneous etiology and insidious onset of the disease. The significance of this research lies in evaluating modern, tailored diagnostic modalities, particularly early high-resolution echocardiography, and correlating them with contemporary, guideline-directed pharmacological strategies. Transitioning towards targeted neurohormonal blockade based on precise, early structural assessments aims to optimize left ventricular reverse remodeling, reduce life-threatening arrhythmias, and fundamentally improve the long-term prognosis for pediatric patients in regional healthcare settings.