Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) carries a poor prognosis. This study examined the non-invasive parameters that may be predictive of survival in two groups of patients, short-term survivors who died within one year of onset of symptoms (Group I, 6 patients) and long-term survivors who survived greater than one year of presentation (Group II, 16 patients). The M-mode echocardiogram (E), resting radionuclide ventricular function study (RNA) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were reviewed for factors that would differentiate between Group I and II. The E mean ventricular wall thickness in Group I was 0.6 cm and Group II 0.9 cm (p less than 0.05), a hypertrophy-dilation index (mean thickness/LVDd) was 0.09 for Group I and 0.12 for Group II (p less than 0.05). There was no significant difference between Groups I and II in LVDd by E, RNA, LV ejection fraction, ECG (LVH, ventricular ectopy, conduction abnormalities). Thus, the finding of a mean ventricular wall thickness of 0.9 cm and a hypertrophy-dilation index of greater than 0.10 by E was predictive of survival longer than one year. The ECG and RNA LV ejection fraction did not predict outcome.