Evaluation of the effects of alcohol on the heart by stereological methods

Being increasingly consumed, alcohol preferentially affects skeletal and heart muscle. Heart muscle harm occurs as a consequence of heavy alcohol ingestion and is manifested as a kinds of function and metabolic abnormalities, including cardiomegaly, left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, reduced ejection fractions and atrial fibrillation. (1) Arrhythmia, left ventricular dysfunction, and sudden death are among major consequences of alcoholinduced cardiovascular disorders (2). Chronic alcohol intake left ventricular dysfunction depending on the dose and duration of alcohol consumption (3). This effect is initially subclinical but later becomes manifest in the form of dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. As a result of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diameter and mass index increase (2,3).