What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (n=121). Intervention: Left ventricular stiffness index (LVSI). Primary outcome: composite endpoint of death or heart failure decompensation requiring hospitalisation (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.19, p=0.003).

What does this research mean for the field?

Higher left ventricular stiffness index (LVSI) predicts adverse outcomes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, with HR 1.10 (95% CI, 1.02–1.18, p=0.01). Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to assess the role of left ventricular stiffness as a prognostic indicator in dilated cardiomyopathy patients, comparing it to systolic dysfunction.

February 2, 2026European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging

Higher LVSI predicts a ~10% greater risk of adverse outcomes in dilated cardiomyopathy.

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Why the study?

Dilated cardiomyopathy involves diastolic abnormalities and increased chamber stiffness, but the prognostic role of non-invasively assessed LV stiffness using 3D echocardiography required evaluation.

Does non-invasive assessment of LV stiffness using 3D echocardiography predict adverse outcomes in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Population

121 consecutive patients with non-ischemic DCM

Comparison

Higher vs lower non-invasively assessed LV stiffness

Design

Prospective cohort study

Follow-up

19±11 months

Key result

Left ventricular stiffness index independently predicted death or heart failure hospitalization in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (adjusted HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.02-1.18; p=0.01).

Authors

AVA E Vijiiac ASA I Scarlatescu SOSebastian Onciul

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

LV stiffness may refine prognostication when LVEF is nondiscriminatory in non-ischemic DCM; challenges systolic-centric consensus but remains hypothesis-generating.

Key Points

The study aims to assess the role of left ventricular stiffness as a prognostic indicator in dilated cardiomyopathy patients, comparing it to systolic dysfunction.
121 patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy were studied.
Echocardiographic assessments (2D and 3D) using specialized software were performed.
Patients were followed for 19±11 months for death or heart failure hospitalization.
LV stiffness was calculated using a specific formula involving mitral and LV volume ratios.
55 patients experienced adverse outcomes (26 deaths and 29 heart failure hospitalizations).
No significant differences in systolic measures (stroke volume, ejection fraction) between patients with and without events.
Diastolic dysfunction was significantly greater in patients with adverse outcomes (mitral E/A ratio and LA volume).
LV stiffness index (LVSI) was higher in those reaching the endpoint and predicted adverse outcomes independently.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=121)

Structured PICO

Does non-invasive assessment of LV stiffness using 3D echocardiography predict adverse outcomes in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Population

121 consecutive patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, mean age 59 years, prospectively followed for 19±11 months.

Exposure

Non-invasive assessment of left ventricular stiffness (LVSI) using 3D echocardiography (defined as 100 * the mitral E/ lateral annular e' ratio divided by 3D LV end-diastolic volume).

Outcome

Composite endpoint of death or heart failure decompensation requiring hospitalisation.composite

Main Result

Hazard Ratio: 1.11 (95% CI 1.04–1.19)

p-value: p=0.003

Non-invasive 3D echocardiographic assessment of LV stiffness independently predicts death or heart failure hospitalization in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, whereas LV systolic dysfunction does not.

Cite This Study

Vijiiac et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (n=121). Left ventricular stiffness index (LVSI) was evaluated on composite endpoint of death or heart failure decompensation requiring hospitalisation (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.19, p=0.003). Left ventricular stiffness index independently predicted death or heart failure hospitalization in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (adjusted HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.02-1.18; p=0.01).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6980feeac1c9540dea811735 https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/jeaf367.097

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February 2, 2026European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging

Higher LVSI predicts a ~10% greater risk of adverse outcomes in dilated cardiomyopathy.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Why the study?

Dilated cardiomyopathy involves diastolic abnormalities and increased chamber stiffness, but the prognostic role of non-invasively assessed LV stiffness using 3D echocardiography required evaluation.

Does non-invasive assessment of LV stiffness using 3D echocardiography predict adverse outcomes in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Population

121 consecutive patients with non-ischemic DCM

Comparison

Higher vs lower non-invasively assessed LV stiffness

Design

Prospective cohort study

Follow-up

19±11 months

Key result

Left ventricular stiffness index independently predicted death or heart failure hospitalization in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (adjusted HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.02-1.18; p=0.01).

Authors

AVA E Vijiiac ASA I Scarlatescu SOSebastian Onciul

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

LV stiffness may refine prognostication when LVEF is nondiscriminatory in non-ischemic DCM; challenges systolic-centric consensus but remains hypothesis-generating.

Key Points

The study aims to assess the role of left ventricular stiffness as a prognostic indicator in dilated cardiomyopathy patients, comparing it to systolic dysfunction.
121 patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy were studied.
Echocardiographic assessments (2D and 3D) using specialized software were performed.
Patients were followed for 19±11 months for death or heart failure hospitalization.
LV stiffness was calculated using a specific formula involving mitral and LV volume ratios.
55 patients experienced adverse outcomes (26 deaths and 29 heart failure hospitalizations).
No significant differences in systolic measures (stroke volume, ejection fraction) between patients with and without events.
Diastolic dysfunction was significantly greater in patients with adverse outcomes (mitral E/A ratio and LA volume).
LV stiffness index (LVSI) was higher in those reaching the endpoint and predicted adverse outcomes independently.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=121)

Structured PICO

Does non-invasive assessment of LV stiffness using 3D echocardiography predict adverse outcomes in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Population

121 consecutive patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, mean age 59 years, prospectively followed for 19±11 months.

Exposure

Non-invasive assessment of left ventricular stiffness (LVSI) using 3D echocardiography (defined as 100 * the mitral E/ lateral annular e' ratio divided by 3D LV end-diastolic volume).

Outcome

Composite endpoint of death or heart failure decompensation requiring hospitalisation.composite

Main Result

Hazard Ratio: 1.11 (95% CI 1.04–1.19)

p-value: p=0.003

Cite This Study

synapsesocial.com/papers/6980feeac1c9540dea811735 https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/jeaf367.097

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

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