Arterial Mechanics in Ischemic versus Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy: Clinical and Diagnostic Impact

100 individuals: 70 patients with dilatation and diffuse impairment of left ventricular contraction of clinically undetermined etiology (36 with ischemic cardiomyopathy [IDCM], mean age 57.9 ± 9.2 years; 34 with nonischemic cardiomyopathy [NIDCM], mean age 56.0 ± 8.3 years) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Echocardiographic assessment of carotid and aortic mechanical functions (including aortic distensibility, strain, wall velocities, and carotid intima-media thickness)

Comparison between IDCM, NIDCM, and healthy controls

Diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of aortic and carotid mechanical parameters in differentiating IDCM from NIDCMsurrogate