Echocardiographic study on Dilated Cardiomyopathy from Eastern India

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Echocardiography is an important tool to assess patients with DCM and also as a prognostic guide. Left atrial size, as measured in echocardiography, is considered an important prognostic marker in this condition. However, studies concerning echocardiography of DCM patients are very rare from India. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective hospital based study, done in a tertiary care hospital of Eastern India. Echocardiographic and demographic data of adult patients admitted within a five-month time period were analysed. All measurements were done by the same expert operator. Standard statistical method were used. Results: There were a total of 42 patients in this study with male: female ratio of 25:17. 64% of the patients belonged to the 5070 year age group. Enlarged left atrium (diameter>40 mm) was found in 31 patients and 6 patients (14%) had systolic left ventricular diameter (LVIDS)>60mm. there was statistically significant positive correlation of left atrial size with LVIDS (r=0.32; p=0.039) and left atrial size with age of the patients (r=0.49; p=0.0009). Conclusion: There was significant left atrial enlargement in this sample Indian population. Further larger studies are needed to find the role of different echocardiographic parameters including left atrial size, in DCM patients in this part of the world.

Dilated cardiomyopathy, left atrial size, echocardiography, left ventricular diameter