Frequency of magnetic resonance signal abnormalities of the brain in patients aged <50 years with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Twenty patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) aged < 50 years (mean 41) and an age-matched group of 20 healthy volunteers were studied. All subjects were free of cerebrovascular symptoms and risk factors for stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, extracranial Doppler ultrasonography, heart catheterization and echocardiography were performed. In patients with IDC, a higher frequency of ventricular enlargement (p < 0.02), cortical atrophy (p < 0.01) and white matter lesions (p < 0.05) was observed. Cerebral infarcts were found in 4 patients (p