Reverse Remodelling and Remission Markers in the Serial Evaluation of Recent-onset Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Overview

Approximately 30-40% of patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) undergo significant left ventricular reverse remodelling in response to guideline-directed therapies. This is characterised by improvement in systolic dysfunction and regression of left ventricular dilatation. In some patients, extensive left ventricular reverse remodelling is accompanied by resolution of symptoms and normalisation of cardiac biomarkers, resulting in a state of clinical remission. The mechanistic drivers behind left ventricular reverse remodelling and clinical remission are poorly understood. Current techniques to predict ventricular remodelling trajectory and clinical remission in patients with recent-onset DCM are limited. The purpose of this study is to characterise predictors and markers of left ventricular reverse remodelling and clinical remission in patients with recent-onset DCM using molecular markers, genetics and advanced CMR imaging.

The REMIT-DCM study is a single-centre pilot observational cohort study. 70 patients with recent-onset DCM (Group A) and up to 40 healthy volunteers (Group B) will be recruited. Patients with DCM will be recruited over a 2-year period and will be followed up for 12 months. Subjects in Group A may be offered an optional further study visit at 24-48 months after enrolment in order to assess whether cardiac remodelling and clinical remission are sustained over the intermediate-term. Patients with DCM (Group A) will attend 3 study visits at The Royal Brompton Hospital (baseline, 2-3 months and 12 months). Each study visit will involve a clinical consultation, blood sample collection (including routine clinical blood tests and sample storage for exploratory biomarkers), urine sample collection, 12-lead ECG, health questionnaire completion and a cardiovascular magnetic resonance scan (CMR). If patients are unable to have a CMR, 3D transthoracic echocardiography will be performed. Healthy volunteers will attend a single study visit at The Royal Brompton Hospital. This will involve a clinical consultation, blood sample collection (including routine clinical blood tests and sample storage for exploratory biomarkers), urine sample collection, 12-lead ECG, health questionnaire completion and a CMR.