The application of exercise stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with suspected dilated cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES: The imaging features of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) overlap with physiological exercise-induced cardiac remodeling in active and otherwise healthy individuals. Distinguishing the two conditions is challenging. This study examined the diagnostic and prognostic roles of exercise stress imaging in asymptomatic patients with suspected DCM. METHODS: Exercise stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed in 60 asymptomatic patients with suspected DCM (dilated left ventricle and/or impaired systolic function on CMR), who also underwent DNA sequencing for DCM-causing genetic variants. Confirmed DCM was defined as genotype- and phenotype-positive (G+P+). Another 100 healthy subjects were recruited to establish normal exercise capacities (peak exercise cardiac index; Peak(CI)). The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiac decompensation and ventricular arrhythmic events. RESULTS: No patients with confirmed G+P+ DCM had Peak(CI) exceeding the 35th percentile specific for age and sex. Applying this threshold in G-P+ patients, those with Peak(CI) below 35th percentile had characteristics similar to confirmed DCM while patients with higher Peak(CI) were younger, more active and higher longitudinal strain. Adverse cardiovascular events occurred only in patients with low exercise capacity (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In individuals with suspected DCM, exercise stress CMR demonstrates diagnostic and prognostic potential in distinguishing between pathological DCM and physiological exercise-induced cardiac remodeling.