Clinical characteristics of the study groups
| Group | Number | Mean (SD) age (years) | Sex (M/F) | Mean (SD) LVEF (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy controls | 8 | 38 (9) | 6/2 | – |
| DCM patients | 29 | 46 (11) | 26/3 | – |
| NYHA II | 13 | 44 (12) | – | 25 (7) |
| NYHA III | 16 | 48 (11) | – | 18 (6) |
LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; DCM, dilated cardiomyopathy; NYHA, New York Heart Association functional class.