Prognostic Implications of the Systolic to Diastolic Duration Ratio in Children With Idiopathic or Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Childhood dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) carries high morbidity and mortality. The echocardiographic systolic to diastolic (S:D) duration ratio, an indicator of global cardiac performance, is elevated in DCM; however, its prognostic implications have not been investigated in this population. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated systolic and diastolic durations and the resultant S:D ratio using pulsed tissue Doppler imaging in children …