Methods
Ischemic or non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients with an EF lower than 40% were included in our study. The exclusion criteria were as follows: acute decompensation and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV patients, atrial fibrillation, valve replacement surgery, moderate and severe mitral and aortic stenosis, severe valvular insufficiency, renal failure requiring dialysis, malignancy, cirrhosis, and inadequate acoustic window. The study was approved by the Akdeniz University Ethical Commission. Informed consent was obtained from each patient. Each patient’s demographic and clinical data were gathered. Body mass index and body surface area (using the Mosteller formula) were calculated. Venous blood samples from each participant were taken and echocardiographic examinations were performed.