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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine
Published on: February 17, 2018
[Causes and prognosis of syncope in patients with primary dilated cardiomyopathy]
B Brembilla-Perrot1, C Suty-Selton, D Beurrier
1Cardiologie, CHU de Brabois, Vandoevre-les-Nancy. b.brembilla-perrot@chu-nancy.fr
Insights
Syncope in primary dilated cardiomyopathy has diverse causes, with ventricular arrhythmias not impacting prognosis. Left ventricular ejection fraction is the key predictor of mortality in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Heart Failure Research
Context:
- Primary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) prognosis is debated.
- Syncope is traditionally linked to increased mortality risk in DCM patients.
Purpose:
- To investigate the causes and prognostic implications of syncope in primary DCM.
- To identify key factors influencing outcomes in DCM patients experiencing syncope.
Summary:
- Sixty-five primary DCM patients (age 31-80) with syncope underwent extensive investigations.
- Ventricular arrhythmias were found in 35% of cases; other causes included supraventricular arrhythmias and conduction defects.
- No cause was identified in 23% of patients; tilt testing was positive in 8%.
Impact:
- During 4-year follow-up, 15% mortality occurred, solely correlated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
- Ventricular arrhythmias did not significantly affect prognosis.
- LVEF emerged as the most critical prognostic factor in primary DCM patients with syncope.
Abstract:
The causes of adverse prognosis of patients with primary dilated cardiomyopathy remain controversial. Classically, it is thought that syncope is associated with an increased risk of mortality. The aim of this study was to try and identify the causes and prognostic significance of syncope in patients with primary dilated cardiomyopathy. Sixty-five patients aged 31 to 80 with primary dilated cardiomyopathy were admitted for investigation of syncope. The average ejection fraction was 27 +/- 10%. Invasive and non-invasive investigations including complete electrophysiological investigations, were performed. Sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia was induced in 14 patients (21.5%), ventricular flutter or fibrillation was induced in 9 patients (14%), a supraventricular arrhythmia in 17 patients (26%), and a conduction defect alone or associated with another arrhythmia in 7 patients (11%). A pathological result of tilt testing was observed in 5 patients (8%). No cause of syncope could be demonstrated in 15 patients (23%). During follow-up (4 +/- 2 years) there was a mortality of 15% which was only correlated with the reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction. The authors conclude that there are many causes of syncope in primary dilated cardiomyopathy: ventricular arrhythmias represent only 35% of cases and do not impact on the prognosis; above all, left ventricular ejection fraction is the most important prognostic factor.
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