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Heart failure with preserved left ventricular systolic function: a hospital cohort study
  1. C Berry1,
  2. K Hogg1,
  3. J Norrie2,
  4. K Stevenson1,
  5. M Brett1,
  6. J McMurray1
  1. 1Department of Cardiology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
  2. 2Centre for Healthcare Randomised Trials (CHaRT), Health Services Research Unit, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
    Professor John J V McMurray
    Department of Cardiology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; j.mcmurraybio.gla.ac.uk

Abstract

Objective: To investigate how patients with heart failure with preserved left ventricular systolic function (LVSF) compare with patients with reduced LVSF.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Urban university hospital.

Patients: 528 index emergency admissions with heart failure during the year 2000. Information on LVSF and follow up was available for 445 (84%) of these patients.

Results: 130 (29%) patients had preserved LVSF (defined as an ejection fraction > 40%). The median follow up was 814 days (range 632–978 days). The average (SD) age was 72 (13) years. Women accounted for 62% and 45% of patients with preserved and reduced LVSF, respectively (p  =  0.001). Patients with preserved LVSF (compared with those with reduced LVSF) had a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (56% v 29%) and aortic valve disease (mean gradient > 20 mm Hg; 31% v 9%). Fewer patients with preserved LVSF received an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (65% v 78%, p  =  0.008) or spironolactone (12% v 21%, p  =  0.027). Anaemia tended to occur more often in patients with preserved LVSF than in those with reduced LVSF (43% v 33% for women, p  =  0.12; 59% v 49% for men, p  =  0.22). There was a similarly high prevalence of significant renal dysfunction in both groups (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 in 68% with preserved and 64% with reduced LVSF, p  =  0.40). Mortality was similar in both groups (preserved versus reduced 51 (39%) v 132 (42%), p  =  0.51). Compared with patients with reduced LVSF, patients with preserved LVSF tended to have a lower risk of death or hospital admission for heart failure (56 (42%) v 165 (53%), p  =  0.072) but a similar rate of death or readmission for any reason.

Conclusion: Patients with preserved LVSF had more co-morbid problems than those with reduced LVSF; however, prognosis was similar for both groups.

  • ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme
  • COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate
  • HF, heart failure
  • LVSF, left ventricular systolic function
  • MDRD, modification of diet in renal disease
  • heart failure
  • hospitalisation
  • preserved systolic function
  • reduced systolic function

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