Changes of global and segmental ventricular strain at different deterioration levels of cardiac function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) have not yet been explored. In total, 101 patients diagnosed with DCM consecutively underwent CMR. They were categorized according to the reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) into the following groups: moderately reduced (n = 43) and severely reduced group (n = 58). LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), global circumferential strain (GCS), and segmental strain values were assessed using tissue tracking technique. LV segmental circumferential strain (CS) and radial strain (RS) in healthy volunteers increased from base to apex stepwisely. The LV base-to-apex increasing pattern disappeared in the moderate DCM group (RS: 26.61% ± 20.63% versus 21.97% ± 4.85% versus 29.05% ± 9.90%, P > 0.05; CS: -13.16% ± 6.40% versus -12.96%± 2.45% versus -15.32% ± 3.89%, P > 0.05). While in the severe group, CS and RS of base segment had the highest values, there was no significant difference between mid and apex segments. GLSLV, GRSLV, and GCSLV were significantly reduced in moderate and severe groups in steps, similar to the three parameters of RV. During a 17-month median follow-up, 25 patients had an index composite outcome event. GLSLV > -11.62%, GCSLV > -9.35%, and GRSLV≤ 12.42% were significantly associated with the occurrence of cardiac events in DCM patients. LV segmental values reduce non-homogeneously in DCM patients with moderately and severely deteriorated heart function.
Keywords: Cardiac event; Cardiac magnetic resonance; Strain analysis.