Korean J Med.  2003 Jul;65(1):52-58.

The role of electrocardiogram in predicting the prognosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

• Yang BR
• Cho JG
• Sim DS
• Lee SH
• Lym SY
• Kim JH
• Kim W
• Ahn YK
• Jeong MH
• Park JC
• Kang JC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although electrocardiographic manifestations of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) are usually nonspecific, several studies have suggested that electrocardiogram (ECG) might be used to predict the prognosis.
METHODS
The present study was performed to determine the role of standard 12-lead ECG variables as a prognostic factor of patients with idiopathic DCMP. We retrospectively analyzed the ECG findings at the time of the diagnosis in 89 patients with DCMP during a mean follow-up period of 53.2+/-37.1 months.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight (31.5%) of the 89 patients died and the cumulative survival rate was 87% at 2 years and 68% at 5 years. By univariate life table analysis, premature ventricular contraction, left bundle branch block, and age were proved as significant predictors. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model identified premature ventricular contraction (p=0.014) and left bundle branch block (p=0.02) as an independent predictor for cardiovascular mortality in DCMP. The presence of a premature ventricular contraction increased the mortality 2.8 times and left bundle branch block 2.6 times. CONCLSUION: The present study demonstrates that independent ECG predictors for prognosis of idiopathic DCMP are premature ventricular contraction and left bundle branch block and ECG may be useful in predicting the prognosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Keyword

Electrocardiogram; Premature ventricular contraction; Left bundle branch block

MeSH Terms

Bundle-Branch Block
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated*
Deoxycytidine Monophosphate
Diagnosis
Electrocardiography*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Life Tables
Mortality
Multivariate Analysis
Prognosis*
Proportional Hazards Models
Retrospective Studies
Survival Rate
Ventricular Premature Complexes
Deoxycytidine Monophosphate