**5. Conclusions**

cMRI parameters of geometry and longitudinal strain, namely LVSI and LAS, are independently associated with increased risk of MACEs in NIDCM patients with myocardial replacement fibrosis confirmed by cMRI-LGE. For the first time, we demonstrate that the combined usage of LVSI and LAS provide incremental value beyond the assessment of LVEF and LGE in outcome prediction. These findings have potential therapeutic implications regarding the management of patients with NIDCM.

**Author Contributions:** B.O.C.-M. and L.A.-C. conception and design of the study; L.A.C.-acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; statistical methods and interpretation of results; project administration. A.Z., I.D.M., C.C., D.H., E.K., R.R., R.C., and M.F.-acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; critical revision of the manuscript for intellectual content. B.O.C.-M., A.Z. and L.A.-C. drafting of the manuscript. All authors granted final approval of the manuscript submitted. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Acknowledgments:** This work was supported by internal institutional doctoral fellowship from the Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
