Prognostic value of late gadolinium enhancement in children with dilated cardiomyopathy

Motivation: The prognostic value of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in adult dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has been confirmed, but its prognostic value in children with DCM remains unclear. Goal(s): To evaluate the prognostic value of late LGE in children with DCM. Approach: This retrospective single-center study analyzed 76 children with DCM. The composite endpoint was all-cause mortality, heart transplant, and rehospitalization for heart failure. The risk factors for the composite endpoint were identified with multivariable Cox analysis. Results: Multivariable Cox analysis showed that LGE present was associated with the composite endpoints (hazard ratio [HR], 2.59 [95% CI: 1.05, 6.37], p=0.039). Impact: Late gadolinium enhancement of CMR in children with DCM provides independently prognostic value of all-cause mortality, heart transplant, and rehospitalization for heart failure.