Factors predicting mortality in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

A study of factors predicting mortality was performed in 201 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (163 men, 38 women, mean age: 48±11 years) by multivariate analysis (Cox Model) of 51 clinical, electrocardio-graphic, echocardiographic and haemodynamic parameters, 56 patients died during follow-up (mean follow-up: 57.1 ± 29.9 months). 5 year survival was 77 ±3%. The following parameters were independent predictors of mortality: first symptom: pulmonary oedema, peripheral oedema, syncope; duration of symptoms at the time of inclusion; end systolic left ventricular volume; end diastolic left ventricular diameter; pulmonary artery systolic pressure; and their combination had the most accurate predictive value for death. A quantitative score (s) was calculated and used to define three subgroups: A: s ≤4.5; B: 4.5dilated cardiomyopathy; factors related to clinical severity, left ventricular dilation, systolic pulmonary artery pressure and duration of symptoms defined a subgroup of patients with poor prognosis.