Diffuse myocardial fibrosis, but not focal fibrosis identified with delayed enhancement, is an independent predictor of LV reversed remodeling in patients with idiopathic non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

Methods We performed CMR in 24 patients with idiopathic nonischemic cardiomyopathy (16 men, mean age 58±11 years) and also in 12 healthy volunteers as control subjects. T1 mapping was performed with post-contrast Look-Locker gradient echo. Baseline echocardiography as well as hemodynamic and metabolic data were collected at the time of CMR. Patients were followed over a median time of 8 months for LVRR which was defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increase of ≥10 U and a decrease in indexed left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) of ≥10% or indexed LVEDD of < 33 mm/m at 24 months. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associations with LVRR.