Analysis of the incidence and baseline predictors of the left ventricular ejection fraction returning to normal after dilated cardiomyopathy in postmenopausal women: a retrospective, observational study

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the incidence and baseline predictors of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) returning to normal after dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) following intervention with standard anti-heart failure (HF) medication in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Data from consecutive postmenopausal women who were first diagnosed with DCM and received anti-HF treatment during 2011 to 2018 were prospectively retrieved. The study population was divided into the LVEF recovery (LVR) group and the LVEF unrecovered (LVU) group according to whether LVEF was > 50%. The primary endpoint was baseline predictors of LVEF returning to normal. RESULTS: LVEF returned to normal in 49.3% (210/426) of patients with DCM. LVEF was significantly higher in the LVR group than in the LVU group (57.4% ± 6.9% vs 44.2% ± 5.3%; hazard ratio 1.312, 95% confidence interval 1.015–1.726) at the final follow-up. High systolic pressure, a short history of HF, a short QRS interval, a small left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and high LVEF at admission were independent predictors of LVEF returning to normal. CONCLUSIONS: LVEF returning to normal in postmenopausal women with DCM who receive standard anti-HF treatment is associated with systolic pressure, a history of HF, QRS interval, LVEDd, LVEF at admission, and favourable outcome.