The additive prognostic value of restrictive pattern and dipyridamole-induced contractile reserve in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Diastolic dysfunction and lack of contractile reserve are unfavorable prognostic predictors in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). AIMS: This study aims to assess whether diastolic dysfunction and lack of dipyridamole-induced contractile reserve were additive predictors of poor outcome in patients with DCM. METHODS: A total of 116 patients with DCM and ejection fraction (EF<35%) were studied by dipyridamole echo (0.84 mg/kg over 10 min). At rest, a restrictive filling pattern was defined as: E/A ratio >2 and an E-wave deceleration time of <140 ms on transmitral flow velocity profile. RESULTS: Rest wall motion score index (WMSI) was 2.2+/-0.3 and decreased to 1.9+/-0.41 after dipyridamole (p<0.001). During follow-up (median 26.5 months), 22 cardiac deaths occurred. At multivariate analysis, dipyridamole-induced contractile reserve yielded significant incremental prognostic value (RR=0.275, p<0.006) over NYHA class (RR=1.971, p<0.03), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy (RR=0.173, p<0.001), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RR=1.131, p<0.001). The worst prognostic combination was the presence of restrictive pattern at rest and the absence of contractile reserve (deltaWMSI<0.15). CONCLUSION: In patients with DCM, the ominous combination of restrictive transmitral flow pattern and lack of contractile reserve during dipyridamole stress predicts an unfavourable outcome.     

特发性扩张型心肌病与HLA-A*基因的关联研究

目的探讨特发性扩张型心肌病（idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy，IDC）易感的分子机制和确立一种人类主要组织相容性复合体（HLA—A＊）基因的检测方法。方法采用聚合酶链式反应和顺序特异性引物（PCR—SSP）基因分析方法，对31例特发性扩张型心肌病患者及29例无血缘关系的健康人的HIA—A＊各等位基因及亚基因进行检测分析，并将该方法与其他检测HIA等位基因的方法进行对比。结果HIA—A＊ 03基因与IDC呈正相关（RR=4．697，P〈0．05），其他HIA—A＊各等位基因未见异常。结论HIA—A＊03基因可能是北方汉族人IDC的致病易感基因之一。采用的方法（PCR—SSP）具有快速、简便、敏感、准确和可靠等优点，值得推广。     

QT dispersion in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. A long-term evaluation

BACKGROUND: In idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), the predictive value of QT dispersion is still under debate. AIMS: This study assessed the role of QT dispersion for the long-term risk of cardiac death and of major arrhythmic events in IDC. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 162 patients with IDC (age 52+/-12 years), the QT interval on a 12-lead ECG was measured manually. QT dispersion was evaluated with QT range and QT standard deviation, for both QT and QTc (Bazett formula). With a follow-up of 53+/-41 months, QT dispersion was not a predictor of cardiac death in univariate or in multivariate analysis, and was of similar value for patients with or without bundle branch block. Using multivariate analysis, increased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (p=0.003), decreased heart rate variability (Standard deviation of all NN intervals, p=0.01) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) (p=0.03) were predictors of cardiac death. Sudden death and/or major arrhythmic events were independently predicted by NSVT (p=0.005), decreased heart rate variability (p=0.01) and late ventricular potentials on signal averaged ECG (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the poor prognostic value of QT dispersion in patients with IDC. Other methods to assess repolarization abnormalities need to be evaluated in such patients.     

Prognostic value of pharmacologic stress echocardiography in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: a prospective, head-to-head comparison between dipyridamole and dobutamine test

BackgroundInotropic reserve identified by dobutamine or dipyridamole stress echocardiography is associated with a better outcome in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), although the relative prognostic value of each remains unsettled. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relative prognostic value of dobutamine versus dipyridamole stress echocardiography for the prediction of all-cause death in patients with idiopathic DCM.Methods and ResultsEighty-seven patients (63 were male, aged 54 ± 12 years) with DCM and an ejection fraction less than 35% underwent both dipyridamole and dobutamine stress echocardiography on different days and in a random order. In all patients, wall motion score index and ejection fraction were evaluated at baseline and peak stress. All patients were followed up for an average of 52 months. All-cause death was identified as the prognostic end point. During the follow-up, 26 all-cause deaths occurred (29.8%). On multivariate analysis, either dobutamine echocardiography (relative risk 0.299; P = .02; 95% confidence interval 0.084–0.835) or dipyridamole echocardiography (relative risk 0.161; P < .00; 95% confidence interval 0.07–0.394) added significantly to a prognostic model based on clinical and resting echocardiographic variables. Survival was 83% in patients with dobutamine and 84% in patients with dipyridamole-induced contractile reserve.ConclusionsDobutamine and dipyridamole stress echocardiography have similar feasibility and prognostic accuracy in DCM risk stratification.     

Role of programmed ventricular stimulation in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and documented sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias: inducibility and prognostic value in 102 patients

The role of programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) in patientsat high risk of sudden death related to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) is still controversial The possible reason is that moststudy series have been too small or that only a few patientshad documented sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias. This study therefore, looked at PVS performed in 102 patientswith DCM and documented sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT;n=63) or ventricular fibrillation (VF; n=39). Sustained VT wasinduced in 27 of 63 patients (43%) with documented sustainedVT and in 14 of 39 patients (36%) with documented VF (ns). VFwas induced in nine patients (14%) with a history of sustainedVT and in seven (18%) with a history of VF (ns). At a mean follow-upof 32±15 months, sudden death occurred in 14 (14%) patients,a rate similar in both patients with documented VT and VF (ns).Incidence of sudden death at 36 months was 6% in patients withinducible sustained VT/VF compared to 29% in patients withoutinducible VT/VF (P<0·05) A favourable drug regimen(response to drug and no intolerable side effects) was obtainedby serial drug testing in 25 of all 102 patients (25%). A cardioverterdefibrillator (ICD) was implanted in 32 patients, in 63% ofwhom discharges were observed during 18±11 months offollow-up; only one patient (3%) died suddenly. Thus, in patients with DCM, there was no relationship betweendocumented and inducible ventricular tachzyarrhythmias, andinitiation of sustained VT or VF had little prognostic valuefor the prediction of subsequent sudden death. Wherever antiarrhythmic drug therapy was of limited value, implantationof an ICD may improve the prognosis of these high risk patients.     

Natriuretic peptides in patients with diastolic dysfunction due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: The degree of systolic dysfunction does not always correlate with functional impairment in patients with congestive heart failure. In contrast, diastolic dysfunction correlates well with functional impairment. In heart failure, both elevation of N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide and B-type natriuretic peptide are markers of a poor prognosis.METHODS: We investigated 32 patients (26 male, 6 female; mean age 55+/-2 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy and sinus rhythm. M-mode echocardiography and 2D-echocardiography were carried out in each patient. Pulsed-wave Doppler inflow signals were obtained and the following parameters were measured: maximal E wave and maximal A wave velocity, E/A ratio, E wave deceleration time, A wave deceleration time. Immediately after echocardiography blood samples were collected from patients in the supine position. N-terminal proANP and brain natriuretic peptide were measured using a radioimmuno assay.RESULTS: The left ventricular ejection fraction was 34+/-1%, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter on M-mode echocardiography was 68+/-1 mm, while left atrial diameter was 45+/-1 mm. Univariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between both left atrial diameter and ejection fraction and N-terminal proANP and brain natriuretic peptide. All transmitral Doppler parameters showed a significant correlation with N-terminal proANP and brain natriuretic peptide. On forward stepwise regression analysis, left atrial diameter and ejection fraction were able to predict both N-terminal proANP and brain natriuretic peptide. However, of the diastolic parameters only the E/A ratio remained significant. Mildly symptomatic patients differed significantly from severely symptomatic patients in all Doppler parameters. Mildly symptomatic patients had significantly lower levels of N-terminal proANP (0.571+/-0.079 vs 2.282+/-0.340 nmol. l(-1);P<0.001) and brain natriuretic peptide (51+/-14.8 vs 474.2+/- 86.8 pg. ml(-1);P<0. 001).CONCLUSION: There is a close relationship between natriuretic peptides and diastolic Doppler parameters of left ventricular filling in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. There is also a significant difference between patients with mild and severe functional impairment regarding both natriuretic peptides and transmitral Doppler parameters.     

Shock occurrence and survival in 49 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

To determine shock occurrence and survival, 49 patients withidiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy presenting with cardiac arrest(82%), syncope (12%) or ventricular tachycardia without syncope(6%) were followed for 28 ±28 months after cardioverter-defibrillator(ICD) implant according to the intention to treat principle.Using the Kaplan-Meier method, the actuarial incidence for anyspontaneous shocks was 20%, 58%, and 77%, and the incidenceof appropriate shocks was 16%, 49%, and 72% at 1, 3, and 5 yearsof follow-up, respectively. Only two of 49 study patients (4%)with an active ICD died suddenly during follow-up. Another twopatients, however, with an inactive device died suddenly, resultingin a sudden death rate of 2% per year with an active ICD, and5% per year, according to the intention to treat principle.The incidence of cardiac death from any cause was 8%, 25%, and35%, and the incidence of total mortality was 14%, 39%, and49% during 1, 3, and 5 years of follow-up, respectively. Therewas no difference in the Kaplan-Meier survival curves for shockedvs non-shocked patients. Thus, in this selected patient populationwith idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy the majority of patientsreceived ‘appropriate’ shocks during follow-up,and the sudden death rate with active ICD is low.     

肌钙蛋白和C-反应蛋白在缺血性心肌病与扩张型心肌病中的变化

目的探讨肌钙蛋白（cTn-I）和超敏G反应蛋白（hs-CRP）在缺血性心肌病与扩张型心肌病患者中的变化。方法101例心肌病患者行冠脉造影检查，分为缺血性心肌病组（ICM组，53例）和扩张型心肌病组（DCM组，48例）。测定患者在不同NYHA分级时血清cTn-I和hs-CRP浓度。结果ICM患者平均血清hs-CRP浓度高于DCM患者，分别为（4．13±1107）和（2．64±1．19）mg／L；在相同NYHA时，ICM患者的血清hs-CRP浓度明显高于DCM患者（P〈0．01）。ICM患者血清平均cTn-I浓度与DCM患者相似，分别为（0．31±0．27）和（0．34±0．33）μg／L；ICM和DCM患者血清cTn-I浓度在相同NYHA时比较无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。无论是ICM患者还是DCM患者，血清hs-CRP和cTn-I浓度均随心衰程度加重而增高，NYHA Ⅲ和Ⅳ级患者血清hs-CRP和cTn-I浓度明显高于NYHA Ⅰ和Ⅱ级患者（P〈0．01）。结论ICM患者和DCM患者血清hs-CRP和cTn-I浓度随心衰程度加重而增高。ICM患者血清hs-CRP浓度明显高于DCM患者，而两组cTn-I浓度比较无显著性差异。心衰患者cTn-I升高非冠状动脉缺血所致，而与心衰本身有关。     

Lack of prognostic implications of spontaneously occurring or stimulation induced atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

A prospective study was undertaken in 102 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy to assess the significance of spontaneous and inducible atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATA). Twenty-six patients were in chronic atrial fibrillation (group I) and 76 patients were in sinus rhythm (group II); 14 patients in group II had a clinical history of ATA or episodes of ATA during Holter monitoring. An electrophysiological study was systematically performed. Programmed atrial stimulation was carried out in group II, and used up to two atrial premature stimuli from the right atrium at 2 cycle lengths (sinus cycle length--10%, 600 ms) and then one atrial extrastimulus under infusion of 1 to 4 micrograms. min-1 of isoproterenol. Programmed ventricular stimulation was performed in groups I and II. Sustained atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA) was induced in 33 patients in group II (42%); isoproterenol infusion facilitated the induction of ATA in only one other patient, who had exercise-related ATA. Eleven patients in group II with spontaneous ATA had inducible sustained ATA. The sensitivity of programmed atrial stimulation to reproduce an ATA was 78.5% and its specificity 64.5%. Inducible ATA was related to a shorter atrial effective refractory period (209 +/- 25 ms vs 228 +/- 32, P less than 0.02). Inducible and spontaneous ATAs were related to older age but not to the existence of spontaneous or inducible ventricular tachycardia; they did not have prognostic significance: the left ventricular ejection fraction and the prognosis were similar in patients with spontaneous or inducible ATA and those without ATA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

血清心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ判断病毒性心肌炎炎性损伤及预后的探讨

目的探讨心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)判断急性病毒性心肌炎炎性损伤程度及预后。方法采用抗人cTnI单抗,应用酶联免疫法测定52例急性病毒性心肌炎患者血清cTnI,同时作肌酸磷酸激酶及其同工酶(CK,CK-MB)检测,血清cTnI>7μg／L为阳性。第1次cTnI阳性者第2次复查仍然阳性者归入cTnI持续阳性组(18例),复查cTnI阴性者归入cTnI阴性组(20例)。结果cTnI阴性组与cTnI持续阳性组临床症状好转率、心律失常治愈率比较均有极显著性差异(P<0．01)。cTnI持续阳性组中,有2例患者发展为心肌炎后心肌病。52例急性病毒性心肌炎患者中第1次检测cTnI有38例患者cTnI阳性(73．1％),有3例CK-MB异常(5．8％)。cTnI持续阳性组柯萨奇B病毒中和抗体转阴率明显低于cTnI阴性组,两者比较P<0．05。结论cTnI可作为急性病毒性心肌炎炎性损伤及预后判断的指标。     

环磷腺苷葡胺联合美多心安治疗扩张型心肌病184例临床分析

目的：研究环磷腺苷葡胺（心先安）与美多心安（倍他乐克）及基础治疗（洋地黄、利尿剂和血管扩张剂）对扩张型心肌病所致的心力衰竭的临床疗效。方法：对184例确诊的扩张型心肌病病人随机分为基础治疗组，倍他乐克组（在基础治疗上加倍他乐克）；心先安组（在倍他乐克组加用心先安）。观察各组临床表现及心功能的变化，结果：心先安组在对扩张型心肌病所致的心力衰竭的临床表现及各项心功能指标的改善方面均优于其他两组（P＜0．05）。结论：心先安是治疗扩型心肌病所致的心力衰竭安全而有效的药物。     

Elevated serum uric acid levels impair coronary microvascular function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

In patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), attenuated coronary flow reserve (CFR) and elevated serum uric acid levels have been reported. In this study, we investigated whether increased uric acid levels correlate with the degree of coronary microvascular dysfunction. Serum uric acid levels were measured in 29 patients with IDC (mean age: 57.0+/-10.8 years, 10 female), and each patient also underwent transthoracic echocardiographic examination including CFR measurement. The study population was divided into two groups according to the median CFR value (lower CFR group and higher CFR group). Uric acid levels were significantly higher in the lower CFR group than in the higher CFR group (7.59+/-2.56 vs 4.80+/-0.80 mg/dL, P=0.000). CFR correlated significantly and inversely to serum uric acid (r=-0.570, P=0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that uric acid level was the only independent predictor of CFR (B=-1080, P=0.015). We found a possibly clinically important negative association between serum uric acid levels and CFR in patients with IDC.     

Clinical outcome of cardiac resynchronization therapy in dilated-phase hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Backgrounds Clinical trials have demonstrated that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is effective in patients with “non-is?chemic cardiomyopathy”. However, patients with dilated-phase hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (DHCM) have been generally excluded from such trials. We aimed to compare the clinical outcome of CRT in patients with DHCM, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM), or ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Methods A total of 312 consecutive patients (DHCM: n = 16; IDCM: n = 231; ICM: n = 65) undergoing CRT in Fuwai hospital were studied respectively. Response to CRT was defined as reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) ? 15% at 6-month follow-up. Results Compared with DHCM, IDCM was associated with a lower total mortality (HR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13–0.90), cardiac mortality (HR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.11–0.77), and total mortality or heart failure (HF) hospitalizations (HR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17–0.69), independent of known confounders. Compared with DHCM, the total mortality, cardiac mortality and total mortality or HF hospitalizations favored ICM but were not statistically significant (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.22–1.61; HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.21–1.63; HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.26–1.15; respectively). Response rate to CRT was lower in the DHCM group than the other two groups although the differences didn’t reach statistical significance. Conclusions Compared with IDCM, DHCM was associated with a worse outcome after CRT. The clinical outcome of DHCM patients receiving CRT was similar to or even worse than that of ICM patients. These indicate that DHCM behaves very differently after CRT.     

Measuring serum aminoterminal type III procollagen peptide, 7S domain of type IV collagen, and cardiac troponin T in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and secondary cardiomyopathy

Objective—To identify new prognostic indicators in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and secondary cardiomyopathy.
Design and patients—Serum concentrations of aminoterminal propeptides of type III procollagen and the 7S domain of type IV collagen (7S collagen)—which have recently been used as indicators of collagen matrix turnover in other diseases—and of cardiac troponin T were measured in 17 consecutive patients with DCM and in four patients with secondary cardiomyopathy (one associated with hyperthyroidism, two with chronic renal failure, one with amyloidosis), confirmed by endomyocardial biopsy. The correlation of these variables with short term prognosis was then assessed prospectively.
Results—11 of the patients were positive for type III procollagen, 7S collagen, or troponin T even though their creatine kinase concentrations were within the normal range. These patients had a poor short term prognosis (p < 0.001).
Conclusions—Within the DCM and secondary cardiomyopathy groups, there was a subgroup of patients with raised concentrations of serum collagen and troponin T, for whom short term prognosis was poor. Although it is unclear whether these serum peptide levels reflect ongoing myocyte degeneration and interstitial fibrosis, they may serve as useful new prognostic indicators for cardiomyopathy.

Keywords: troponin T;  collagen;  dilated cardiomyopathy     

Abnormal contractile responses during dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: In chronic heart failure augmented wall stress leads to increased energy demand. Supply, however, may be reduced due to coronary vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction. This might lead to a mismatch between demand and supply. In the present study we further explored the effect of increased demand during dobutamine stress echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixteen patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (mean age 44+/-13 years, New York Heart Association class II-III, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 0.27+/-0.10) underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography (5-40 microg/min per kg bodyweight+atropine if required). Wall motion and thickening was assessed in 16 segments using a four-point scale. Eleven patients (69%) showed regions with worsening of wall motion or a biphasic response during dobutamine infusion. Of the remaining five patients one patient did not show any wall motion changes and one patient showed a partial improvement while only in three patients wall motion improvement in the whole heart was found. CONCLUSION: A majority of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy showed decreased wall motion during increased demand, i.e. ischemia-like myocardial contractile responses during dobutamine stress echocardiography. These findings further support the concept that an energy mismatch between demand and supply might play a pathophysiological role in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.     

阿托伐他汀对扩张型心肌病患者肌钙蛋白I水平及预后的影响

目的:研究阿托伐他汀对扩张型心肌病（DCM）患者血清肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)水平及预后的影响。方法: 对72例DCM住院患者随机分成2组:他汀组及非他汀组（各36例）,治疗前两组在性别、年龄、病程、NYHA心功能分级、左室射血分数（LVEF）、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、心律失常等方面无显著差异,两组均常规抗心力衰竭等治疗,而他汀组加用阿托伐他汀（立普妥）10 mg/d,分别随访1年,观察治疗前、治疗3个月后两组的cTnI水平变化情况,评估随访1年内主要不良心血管事件（心血管死亡、心脏骤停复苏及卒中）风险及心力衰竭再住院率。结果: 他汀组治疗3个月后cTnI水平较非他汀组有所下降,但差异无统计学意义;随访期间非他汀组主要心血管不良事件发生16例次（48%）,他汀组14例次（42%）;非他汀组因心衰再住院16例次（48%）,他汀组11例次（33%）,P>0.05。结论: 低剂量阿托伐他汀治疗对DCM患者的cTnI水平及预后无明显影响,对心衰住院率亦无明显降低作用。     

心肌肌钙蛋白I和肌红蛋白对不稳定型心绞痛患者的预后评价

目的　探讨心肌肌钙蛋白 I(c Tn I)和肌红蛋白 (Mb)对不稳定型心绞痛 (U A)患者近期、远期心脏事件的预后评价。方法　对 6 4例 U A患者进行血清 c Tn I和 Mb定量测定 ,同时测定肌酸磷酸激酶同工酶 MB(CK- MB)活性 ,分组比较标志物升高与近期、远期心脏事件的关系。结果　近期 (30 d) c Tn I正常组与增高组心脏事件发生率分别为 2 .3%和 2 8.6 % (P<0 .0 0 5 ) ,远期分别为 2 .4 %和 2 0 .0 % (P<0 .0 5 )。近期 Mb正常组与增高组心脏事件发生率 (5 .0 % vs 2 0 .8% ,P<0 .0 5 )亦有显著差异。 c Tn I和 Mb对预测近期心脏事件发生的灵敏度分别为 85 .7%和71.4 % ,阴性预测值为 97.7%和 95 .0 %。远期预后判断中 ,c Tn I的灵敏度为 80 .0 % ,阴性预测值 97.6 %。校正性别、年龄等基线特征、冠状动脉病变及标志物升高等因素后 ,c Tn I是近期及远期发生心脏事件独立的危险性预测因子 ,比数比 (OR值 )分别为 8.5 5 0 (P<0 .0 5 )和 4 .777(P<0 .0 5 )。结论　 c Tn I联合 Mb是评估 U A患者预后的良好指标 ,c Tn I可用于指导临床治疗 ,是 U A患者近期、远期严重心脏事件发生独立的危险性预测因子。     

C-reactive protein and aortic stiffness in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown an association between C-reactive protein (CRP)and arterial stiffness in most cardiovascular diseases. Increased CRP levels and arterial stiffness have been considered independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality in cardiovascular disease and even in the general population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CRP, a marker of systemic inflammation and aortic stiffness in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP). METHODS: Serum CRP levels and aortic stiffness parameters were measured in DCMP patients (n= 37) and age- and gender-matched control subjects (n= 30). High-sensitivity CRP levels were determined by an immunonephelometry assay. Aortic strain (AS) and aortic distensibility (AD) were calculated from the aortic diameters measured using M-mode echocardiography and blood pressure obtained by sphygmomanometry. RESULTS: Serum levels of CRP in DCMP patients were higher than in the control subjects (5.47 +/- 2.06 mg/L and 2.35 +/- 0.47 mg/L, P < 0.001, respectively). AS and AD were significantly decreased in DCMP patients compared to the controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). There were positive correlations between CRP, and (r = 0.3.64, P = 0.027) smoking (r = 0.3.56, P = 0.024), and increasing age (r = 0.587, P < 0.001), and negative correlations between CRP, and DBP (r =-0.485, P < 0.001), diameter change (DC; r =-0.493, P < 0.001), AS (r =-0.526, P < 0.001), and AD (r =-0.626, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We have shown that there is a significant relation between high serum CRP levels and impaired aortic stiffness in patients with idiopathic DCMP. These findings may indicate an important role of CRP in the pathogenesis of impaired aortic stiffness in idiopathic DCMP.     

Dobutamine echocardiography in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: clinical and prognostic implications.

The dobutamine echocardiographic test (DET) is frequently used in coronary artery disease to detect viable myocardium, but few data are available about its role in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical role of DET and the prognostic implications of the 'contractile reserve' in patients with IDCM treated with optimal medical therapy, including beta-blockade (BB). A total of 51 patients with IDCM underwent DET at diagnosis. A positive response to DET (DET+) was judged to be a significant increase (> or =10 points) in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with a peak value > or =40%, and a reversed restrictive left ventricular filling pattern (RFP) if present at baseline study. Improvement at follow-up was defined according to combined clinical and echo-Doppler criteria. In all, 22 patients (43%) were classified as DET+. DET+ patients were less symptomatic (P<0.001), with lower heart rate (P<0.01), less enlarged left and right ventricles (P<0.0001 and P<0.05), higher LVEF (P=0.0001), less frequent RFP (P=0.01), and lower pulmonary pressure (P<0.01). At follow-up (34+/-16 months), 21 patients had improved, while four had died and seven had received a transplant. Among clinical data, NYHA classes I-II (OR=0.25, P=0.07) and BB dosage (OR=0.97, P<0.005) were significantly associated with higher transplant-free survival at multivariate analysis. The addition of DET+ (OR=0.34, P<0.05) showed a moderate but significant improvement of sensitivity, but the predictive power of the model remained low (sensitivity, 0.67; specificity, 0.55). Absence of left bundle branch block (OR=0.27, P<0.01) and BB dosage (OR=1.03, P<0.005), but not DET+, were predictive of improvement. In patients with IDCM, DET response is associated with a more favourable outcome, since it suggests an earlier stage of the disease. However, in the light of our data, the incremental prognostic power of DET response compared to clinical evaluation at enrollment, despite being significant, seems to be of limited clinical value. Further studies should be carried out in order to clarify the prognostic value of DET in IDCM patients.