Additive prognostic value of red cell distribution width over late gadolinium enhancement on CMR in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) and late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) are both poor prognostic factors. This study examined the relationship between RDW and LGE-CMR characteristics in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NICM), and investigated whether the additive prognostic value of RDW as an integrative systemic factor over LGE-CMR exists or not. A total of consecutive 378 patients who underwent CMR at two general hospitals in South Korea were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, hospitalizations due to worsening heart failure and major arrhythmic events. During a mean follow-up period of 40.8 months, 151 (39.9%) patients experienced primary endpoints. The RDW value was significantly higher in patients with LGE than in those without LGE (13.7 ± 1.5% vs. 13.3 ± 1.4%, p = 0.034), but it was not associated with the extent or distribution patterns of the LGE. Addition of RDW into the model with clinical risk factors and LGE-CMR characteristics led to a significant improvement in the prediction of worse outcomes (χ² increased from 73 to 82; p = 0.023). RDW could provide incremental predictive value for adverse clinical events beyond LGE-CMR data in NICM patients.