Abstract
Introduction: Non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) is characterized by a reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF, <50%) and a high risk for heart failure (HF) and death. Echocardiography-derived hemodynamic forces (HDFs) may provide important information on LV mechanics, but their prognostic value is unknown. Aim: To explore the features of echocardiography-derived HDFs in NIDCM and their association with clinical endpoints. Methods: Asymptomatic, non-hospitalized NIDCM patients free from coronary artery disease and moderate or severe valvular heart disease were included in this single-center observational retrospective longitudinal study. Those with atrial fibrillation and a follow-up <12 months were excluded. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as a composite of all-cause death, HF hospitalization, and ambulatory intravenous diuretics administration. LV HDFs were analyzed with a prototype software. Apex-base (HDFs-ab), lateral-septal (HDFs-ls), and HDFs-angle were computed. Results: Ninety-seven patients were included, sixty-seven (69%) were males, mean age was 62 ± 14 years, and mean LVEF was 39.2 ± 8.6%. During a median follow-up of 4.2 (3.1-5.1) years, 19 (20%) patients experienced MACE. These patients had a higher HDFs-angle (71.0 (67.0-75.0) vs. 68.0 (63.0-71.0)°, p = 0.005), lower HDFs-ls (1.36 (1.01-1.85) vs. 1.66 ([1.28-2.04])%, p = 0.015), but similar HDFs-ab (5.02 (4.39-6.34) vs. 5.66 (4.53-6.78)%, p = 0.375) compared to those without MACE. in a Cox regression analysis, HDFs-angle (HR 1.16 (95%-CI 1.04-1.30), p = 0.007) was associated with MACE, while other conventional echocardiography parameters, including LVEF and LV longitudinal strain, were not. Conclusions: HDFs-angle is associated with clinical endpoints in NIDCM. A higher HDFs-angle may be a marker of impaired myocardial performance in patients with reduced LVEF.