Congestive heart failure despite normal left ventricular systolic function in a population-based sample: the Strong Heart Study

In selected clinical series, > or = 50% of adults with congestive heart failure (CHF) do not have left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Little is known of the prevalence of this phenomenon in population samples. Therefore, clinical examination and echocardiography were used in the second examination of the Strong Heart Study (3,184 men and women, 47 to 81 years old) to identify 95 participants with CHF, 50 of whom had normal LV ejection fraction (EF) (> 54%), 19 of whom had mildly reduced EF (40% to 54%), and 26 of whom had EF < or = 40%. Compared with those with no CHF, participants with CHF and no, mild, or severe decrease in EF had higher creatinine levels (2.34 to 2.85 vs 1.01 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and higher prevalences of diabetes (60% to 70% vs 50%) and hypertension (75% to 96% vs 46%, p < 0.05). Compared with those with no CHF, participants with CHF and normal EF had prolonged deceleration time (233 vs 204 ms, p < 0.05) and a reduced E/A, whereas those with CHF and EF < or = 40% had short deceleration time (158 ms, p < 0.05) and high E/A (1.70, p < 0.001); patients with CHF and normal EF had higher LV mass (98 vs 84 g/m2, p < 0.001) and relative wall thickness (0.37 vs 0.35, p < 0.05) than those without CHF. Patients with CHF with normal EF were, compared with those without CHF or with CHF and EF < or = 40%, disproportionately women (mean 84% vs 63% and 42%, p < 0.001), older (mean 64 vs 60 years and 63 years, respectively, p < 0.01), had higher body mass index (mean 33.1 vs 31.0 and 27.7 kg/m2, p < 0.05), and higher systolic blood pressure (mean 137 vs 130 and 128 mm Hg, both p < 0.05). Thus, in a population-based sample, patients with CHF and normal LV EF were older and overweight, more often women, had renal dysfunction, impaired early diastolic LV relaxation, and concentric LV geometry, whereas patients with CHF and severe LV dysfunction were more often men, had lower body mass index, a restrictive pattern of LV filling, and eccentric LV hypertrophy.     

Effectiveness of preload reserve as a determinant of clinical status in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The SOLVD Investigators.

The hemodynamic determinants of clinical status in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction have not been established. In the present study, preload reserve--LV distension during exercise--was related to clinical status, and the effect of acute angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition was examined in 97 patients with ejection fraction less than or equal to 0.35 enrolled in the trial, Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD). Sixty-one asymptomatic patients (group I) were compared with 36 patients with symptomatic heart failure (group II). Radionuclide LV volumes were measured at rest and during maximal cycle exercise. Group II patients had higher resting heart rates, end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, and lower ejection fractions (all p less than 0.005). During exercise, only patients in group I had increased stroke volume (from 35 +/- 8 to 39 +/- 11 ml/m2 [mean +/- SD; p less than 0.0005]) due to an increase in end-diastolic volume (from 119 +/- 29 to 126 +/- 29 ml/m2 [p less than 0.0005]), contributing to a greater increase in LV minute output (p less than 0.0001, group I vs group II). After administration of intravenous enalapril (1.25 mg), LV end-diastolic volume response to exercise was augmented in group II (rest, 140 +/- 42; exercise, 148 +/- 43 ml/m2; p less than 0.0005) and LV output response increased slightly (p less than 0.05). Thus, in patients with asymptomatic systolic dysfunction, recruitment of preload during exercise is responsible for maintaining a stroke volume contribution to the cardiac output response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Safety and efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

The risks and long-term outcome after 845 elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (PTCA) in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (ejection fraction less than or equal to 40%) were examined. Procedural results were compared with 8,117 consecutive procedures in patients with ejection fractions greater than 40%. The patients with LV dysfunction were older (63 vs 60 years, p less than 0.01), had a greater incidence of prior myocardial infarction (84 vs 45%, p less than 0.001), prior bypass surgery (39 vs 21%, p less than 0.001), 3-vessel disease (62 vs 33%, p less than 0.001), and class IV angina (48 vs 41%, p less than 0.01) than the control group. Angiographic success was lower (93 vs 95%, p less than 0.01), and overall procedural mortality was increased ( 4 vs 1%, p less than 0.001) in the study group. Emergency surgery rates were identical (2%). No significant difference was found in rates of nonfatal Q-wave myocardial infarction (2 vs 1%). At mean follow-up of 33.5 months, 15% of the patients with LV dysfunction required late bypass surgery, 27% underwent repeat PTCA, and 59% were angina free. Actuarial survival at 1 and 4 years was 87 and 69%, respectively. Cox regression analysis identified 3-vessel disease, age greater than or equal to 70 years, class IV angina and incomplete revascularization as correlates of long-term mortality. These data suggest that PTCA may be an effective treatment for coronary artery disease in patients with LV dysfunction.     

Characteristics of peak aerobic capacity in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects with left ventricular dysfunction. The Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) Investigators.

Expired gas analysis was used to determine the aerobic exercise performance of subjects with depressed left ventricular (LV) systolic function and congestive heart failure (CHF). To determine whether subjects with no or minimal CHF have better aerobic exercise performance than do those with overt CHF, oxygen consumption (VO2) at anaerobic threshold (AT) and peak exercise was measured in 184 subjects with LV ejection fraction less than or equal to 0.35 who participated in the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction. Subjects were divided into those with overt CHF needing treatment (treatment trial; n = 20) and those who had neither overt CHF nor treatment for CHF (prevention trial; n = 164). Treatment trial subjects had a lower LV ejection fraction (0.25 +/- 0.07) than did prevention trial ones (0.29 +/- 0.05; p = 0.001), but there were no differences in age, gender, body weight, resting heart rate and blood pressure. Treadmill exercise testing was performed after 2 to 3 weeks of placebo (no angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) treatment. Treatment trial subjects exercised for a shorter time (493 +/- 160 seconds) and attained a lower peak VO2 (13 +/- 4 ml/kg/min) and VO2 at AT (11 +/- 4 ml/kg/min) than did prevention trial ones (842 +/- 277 seconds, and 20 +/- 6 and 16 +/- 5 ml/kg/min, respectively). Analysis of covariance showed that the differences in peak VO2 and VO2 at AT were statistically significant between the 2 trials after adjusting for age, gender, LV ejection fraction and New York Heart Association functional class.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Echocardiographic predictors of clinical outcome in patients with left ventricular dysfunction enrolled in the SOLVD registry and trials: significance of left ventricular hypertrophy. Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relation of left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) dimensions, ejection fraction (EF) and LV mass to subsequent clinical outcome of patients with LV dysfunction enrolled in the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) Registry and Trials. BACKGROUND: Data are lacking on the relation of LV mass to prognosis in patients with LV dysfunction and on the interaction of LV mass with other measurements of LV size and function as they relate to clinical outcome. METHODS: A cohort of 1,172 patients enrolled in the SOLVD Trials (n = 577) and Registry (n = 595) had baseline echocardiographic measurements and follow-up for 1 year. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, Trial vs. Registry and ischemic etiology, a 1-SD difference in EF was inversely associated with an increased risk of death (risk ratio, 1.62; p = 0.0008) and cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization (risk ratio, 1.59; p = 0.0001). Consequently, the other echo parameters were adjusted for EF in addition to age, NYHA functional class, Trial vs. Registry and ischemic etiology. A 1-SD difference in LV mass was associated with increased risk of death (risk ratio of 1.3, p = 0.012) and CV hospitalization (risk ratio of 1.17, p = 0.018). Similar results were observed with the LA dimension (mortality risk ratio, 1.32; p < 0.02; CV hospitalizations risk ratio, 1.18; p < 0.04). Likewise, LV mass > or =298 g and LA dimension > or =4.17 cm were associated with increased risk of death and CV hospitalization. An end-systolic dimension >5.0 cm was associated with increased mortality only. A protective effect of EF was noted in patients with LV mass > or =298 g (those in the group with EF >35% had lower mortality) but not in the group with LV mass <298 g. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LV dysfunction enrolled in the SOLVD Registry and Trials, increasing levels of hypertrophy are associated with adverse events. A protective effect of EF was noted in patients with LV mass > or =298 g (those in the group with EF >35% fared better) but not in the group with LV mass <298 g. These data support the development and use of drugs that can inhibit hypertrophy or alter its characteristics.     

The prognostic value of renal dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure: 12-month follow-up

INTRODUCTION: Renal function assessment is an important element of management and therapeutic decision-making in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). AIM: To evaluate the prognostic value of renal dysfunction in patients with CHF in 12-month follow-up. METHODS: 639 consecutive patients hospitalised in our department from 1 July 2002 to 31 December 2003 with diagnosis of CHF (NYHA II-IV), based on medical records, were initially enrolled in the study. Patients underwent one-year follow-up. Finally, 498 patients, aged 22-98 years (mean age 69+/-12 years) in whom creatinine concentration was measured and creatinine clearance was estimated at admission with the Cockroft-Gault quotation and with long-term follow-up results obtained, were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the creatinine level: Group I without renal dysfunction (creatinine level <1.4 mg/dl), and Group II--with renal dysfunction (creatinine level >1.4 mg/dl). RESULTS: Patients with renal dysfunction were significantly older and more likely to be male and in NYHA class III-IV (p <0.001). Analysis of pharmacotherapy for CHF revealed that patients with renal impairment significantly less frequently received beta-blockers (67% vs 81%, p <0.005), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (68% vs 82%, p <0.005) and combined treatment of beta-blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (56% vs 71%, p <0.05), whereas loop diuretics were more frequently prescribed in this group (80% vs 70%, p <0.05). In patients with renal dysfunction, there was a significantly higher mortality rate at 30 days (32% vs 14%, p <0.001) as well as at 12 months (45% vs 20%, p <0.001). The incidence of re-hospitalisation for cardiovascular reasons (CHF worsening, myocardial infarction, stroke) was significantly higher in patients with renal dysfunction (70% vs 55%, p <0.005). Multivariate analysis of all factors affecting one-year mortality demonstrated that renal dysfunction is a strong and independent risk factor for death in patients with CHF (RR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.31-3.45; p <0.05) and it increases the risk of re-hospitalisation (RR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.01-2.14; p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Renal dysfunction is an independent prognostic factor in patients with CHF, which allows identification of a high-risk group and administration of optimal therapy, which in turn can result in a reduction of mortality.     

Enhanced external counterpulsation as treatment for chronic angina in patients with left ventricular dysfunction: a report from the International EECP Patient Registry (IEPR)

The International Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) Patient Registry tracks acute and long-term outcome for consecutive patients treated for chronic angina. Although EECP has previously been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for angina, little information is available on its use in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. This report compares the acute outcome and 6-month follow-up for a group of patients with severe LV dysfunction and a group of patients without LV dysfunction. Of 1,402 patients in the registry recruited in 1998-1999 who had recorded values of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) at baseline, 1,090 (77.7%) had preserved LV function (LVEF >35%) and 312 (22.3%) had LV dysfunction (LVEF 相似文献   

Hemodynamic response to high-dose nitroglycerin infusion in patients with severe heart failure after pretreatment and clinical stabilization]

It is a common opinion that the use of nitrates may have a harmful effect on cardiac output (CO) in patients (pts) with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to left ventricular (LV) dilatation and systolic dysfunction in whom previous treatment with diuretics and vasodilators considerably reduced LV filling pressure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects on CO and LV filling pressure of high dose intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) in eight pts with dilated cardiomyopathy and with CHF in functional class IV NYHA; they had previously undergone intensive treatment with diuretics and vasodilators, and at the time of the study were in stable clinical conditions. Hemodynamic monitoring was performed by Swan-Ganz catheterization and CO was determined by thermodilution. NTG was administered at increasing doses (maximal doses 350 +/- 220 microgr./m, range 100-800 microgr./m) until systolic arterial pressure (BPs) less than or equal to 85 mmHg and/or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) less than or equal to 4 mmHg. Our results showed that NTG caused a significant reduction of right atrial pressure (RAP, 4 +/- 3.5 vs -1 +/- 4 mmHg, p less than 0.001), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (36 +/- 8 vs 21 +/- 11 mmHg, p less than 0.001) and PCWP (16 +/- 5 vs 7 +/- 3 mmHg, p less than 0.001). LV transmural pressure (TMP) calculated as the difference between PCWP and RAP, showed a nonsignificant reduction from 12 +/- 5 to 8 +/- 3.75 mmHg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

White blood cell count and mortality in patients with ischemic and nonischemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (an analysis of the Studies Of Left Ventricular Dysfunction [SOLVD])

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Studies Of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) trials to assess the predictive value of the baseline white blood cell (WBC) count on mortality. Mortality was higher in participants with a baseline WBC count >7,000 compared to those with a baseline WBC < or =7,000 (27% vs 21%, p <0.0001). After controlling for important covariates, each increase in WBC count of 1,000/mm3 was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (relative risk [RR] 1.05, p <0.001). Overall, compared with a baseline WBC count < or =7,000, a baseline WBC count >7,000 was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (RR 1.22, p = 0.001). In participants with ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, a WBC count >7,000 remained significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (RR 1.26, p <0.001), whereas in participants with nonischemic LV dysfunction there was no relation between WBC count and mortality (RR 1.08, p = 0.5). Thus, baseline WBC is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with LV dysfunction, specifically in those with ischemic cardiomyopathy.     

Predicting outcome in patients with left ventricular systolic chronic heart failure using a nutritional risk index

Mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) is high and associated with body mass. However, the best method of assessing nutritional status in patients with CHF is not clear. We sought to demonstrate the prognostic use of a nutritional risk index (NRI) in ambulatory patients with CHF. Consecutive patients attending their first quarterly review appointment in the HF clinic were recruited. All patients had systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. An NRI was calculated as: (1.5 × serum albumin [grams per liter]) + (current body weight/ideal weight). Patients were followed up every 4 months. Of the 538 patients enrolled in the study 75% were men. The patients' age was 71 ± 10 years (mean ± SD) and total median follow-up in survivors was 68 months (interquartile range 54 to 74). New York Heart Association classes II and III accounted for 60% and 27%, respectively, with 80% having moderate LV impairment or worse. Based on the NRI 23% of patients were at risk of malnutrition. Severely malnourished patients were older. There was no relation between NRI and LV function. The NRI was a univariable predictor of mortality (chi-square 25, p <0.001) and was an independent predictor of outcome in multivariable analysis (chi-square 12, p <0.001). In conclusion, the NRI is useful as a prognostic marker in patients with CHF in an outpatient setting. NRI might be of use as a surrogate marker for nutritional status in trials of dietary supplementation in CHF.     

Aortic valve stenosis: comparison of patients with to those without chronic congestive heart failure

Eighty-four patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) and without other valvular or coronary artery disease were studied to investigate the pathophysiologic importance of hemodynamic and functional factors in the development of congestive heart failure (CHF). Thirty had clinical and radiographic signs of CHF. There was no significant difference between patients with and those without CHF in aortic valve index (0.26 +/- 0.09 vs 0.34 +/- 0.16 cm2/m2), mean aortic valve gradient (64 +/- 19 vs 59 +/- 25 mm Hg), left ventricular (LV) systolic pressure (201 +/- 31 vs 201 +/- 35 mm Hg), LV end-diastolic diameter (4.8 +/- 1.0 vs 4.4 +/- 0.7 cm) or posterior LV wall thickness (14.0 +/- 4.7 vs 15.0 +/- 30.0 mm). Patients with CHF had higher LV end-diastolic pressure (22 +/- 10 vs 16 +/- 7 mm Hg, p less than 0.005) and LV wall stress (370 +/- 138 vs 300 +/- 69 g/cm2, p less than 0.005) and lower cardiac index (2.0 +/- 0.5 vs 2.4 +/- 0.6 liters/min/m2, p less than 0.005) and LV ejection fraction (55 +/- 18 vs 68 +/- 13%, p less than 0.0005). An inverse linear relation (r = -0.59, p less than 0.01) was present between LV wall stress and LV ejection fraction such that as stress increased, LV ejection fraction fell. Values for both LV wall stress and LV ejection fraction overlapped considerably between the groups and, more important, only 40% of patients with CHF had a depressed LV ejection fraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Congestive heart failure, coronary events and atherothrombotic brain infarction in elderly blacks and whites with systemic hypertension and with and without echocardiographic and electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Hypertension was present in 50% of 196 blacks and in 36% of 382 whites (p less than 0.001). A prospective study of 84 elderly blacks (70% women) and 326 elderly whites (73% women) with hypertension correlated echocardiographic and electrocardiographic left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy with incidences of congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary events and atherothrombotic brain infarction (ABI). Echocardiographic LV hypertrophy (p less than 0.02) and concentric LV hypertrophy (p less than 0.001) were more prevalent in hypertensive blacks than in hypertensive whites. Hypertensive blacks were younger (78 +/- 9 years) than hypertensive whites (82 +/- 7 years) (p less than 0.001). Other coronary risk factors were similar, except for higher serum triglycerides in whites than in blacks (p less than 0.02). Follow-up was 37 +/- 18 months in blacks and 43 +/- 18 months in whites (p less than 0.01). Incidences of CHF and coronary events were not significantly different in blacks and whites. ABI incidence was 38% in blacks and 21% in whites (p less than 0.005). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that prior CHF (p = 0.000), concentric LV hypertrophy (p = 0.018) and echocardiographic LV hypertrophy (p = 0.022) were independent risk factors for CHF. Echocardiographic LV hypertrophy (p = 0.001), serum total cholesterol (p = 0.002), concentric LV hypertrophy (p = 0.005) and prior coronary artery disease (p = 0.042) were independent risk factors for coronary events. Prior ABI (p = 0.001), echocardiographic LV hypertrophy (p = 0.001) and electrocardiographic LV hypertrophy (p = 0.034) were independent risk factors for ABI.     

Congestive heart failure in the elderly--echocardiographic insights.

One hundred and seventy-two patients (110 were greater than or equal to 65 years and 62 were less than 65 years) with congestive heart failure (CHF) were prospectively evaluated to determine various pathophysiologic mechanisms of CHF. The incidence of CHF with normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function was higher in elderly (30% vs 12%, p less than 0.05). Of the 110 elderly patients, LV systolic function was impaired in 77. Fifty-five patients had LV dilatation without increased wall thickness, and the clinical diagnosis was "dilated cardiomyopathy in the elderly". Twenty-two patients had hypertrophied LV and a high incidence of hypertension, and they were diagnosed as "hypertensive heart failure" due to contractile dysfunction. On the contrary, the remaining 33 patients did not have impaired LV contractile function. Thirteen patients lacking LV hypertrophy had enlarged atria. CHF was induced by reduced chamber compliance called "the stiff heart syndrome". Twenty patients had hypertrophied LV and a high incidence of hypertension. They were diagnosed as having "hypertensive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy of the elderly" and abnormalities of diastolic function accounted for the CHF. Since echocardiography can easily and accurately diagnose the pathophysiologic mechanism of CHF, an increased awareness of its occurrence in the elderly and use of echocardiography would reduce diagnostic and therapeutic errors.     

Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD)

Given the increasing incidence and dismal prognosis in congestive heart failure, it is not surprising that strenuous efforts have been made to limit the morbidity and mortality that result from this syndrome. The National Institutes of Health designed and implemented the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) to assess the effect of therapy with enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on all cause mortality in a population with left ventricular dysfunction (i.e., ejection fraction at or below 35%). Important secondary objectives included the effects of this therapy on cause-specific mortality, development of heart failure, and hospitalization for congestive heart failure. Patients within each of two arms of the trial were randomized on the basis of the administration (treatment arm) or lack (prevention arm) of concomitant therapy for congestive heart failure. The trial was double blind and placebo controlled. The mean follow-up period for the combined arms was 39.2 months, during which time there was a 16% risk reduction in all-cause mortality in the treatment arm of the trial (P equals 0.008) and an 8% risk reduction in the prevention arm (P equals NS). In the prevention arm, however, there was a 12% reduction risk for cardiovascular mortality (P equals 0.12) and a 37% reduction in risk of progression to heart failure (P is less than 0.001). Thus, the results of SOLVD indicate that therapy with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor has beneficial effects on morbidity and mortality that are apparent in a broad spectrum of patients with left ventricular dysfunction.     

Antiplatelet Agents and Survival: A Cohort Analysis From the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) Trial

Objectives. This study sought to evaluate the relation between antiplatelet agent (APA) use and survival and morbidity from cardiac disease in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction.Background. APAs play an important role in the prevention and treatment of coronary disease. Their effects in patients with LV systolic dysfunction are unknown.Methods. We reviewed data on APA use in 6,797 patients enrolled in the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) trial and analyzed the relation between their use and all-cause mortality as well as the combined end point of death or hospital admission for heart failure (HF). We used Cox regression to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics and to test for the interaction between APA use and selected patient variables in relation to outcome.Results. APA use (46.3% of patients) was associated with significantly reduced mortality from all causes (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73 to 0.92, p = 0.0005) and reduced risk of death or hospital admission for HF (adjusted HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.89, p < 0.0001) but was not influenced by trial assignment, gender, LV ejection fraction, New York Heart Association class or etiology. A strong interaction was observed among APA use, randomization group and all-cause mortality. The association between APA use and survival was not observed in the enalapril group, nor was an enalapril benefit on survival detectable in patients receiving APAs at baseline. However, randomization to enalapril therapy significantly reduced the combined end point of death or hospital admission for HF in APA users.Conclusions. In patients with LV systolic dysfunction, use of APAs is associated with improved survival and reduced morbidity. This association is retained after adjustment for baseline characteristics. APA use is associated with retained but reduced benefit from enalapril.     

Dilated cardiomyopathy in dialysis patients--beneficial effects of carvedilol: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate in dialysis patients with symptomatic heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III whether the addition of carvedilol to conventional therapy is associated with beneficial effects on cardiac architecture, function and clinical status. BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF) in chronic hemodialyzed patients, particularly when associated with dilated cardiomyopathy, represents an ominous complication and is an independent risk factor for cardiac mortality. METHODS: We enrolled 114 dialysis patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. All patients were treated with carvedilol for 12 months in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. The patients underwent M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography at baseline, 1, 6 and 12 months after the randomization. Each patient's clinical status was assessed using an NYHA functional classification that was determined after 6 and 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: Carvedilol treatment improved left ventricular (LV) function. In the active-treatment group, the increase in LV ejection fraction (from 26.3% to 34.8%, p < 0.05 vs. basal and placebo group) and the reduction of both LV end-diastolic volume (from 100 ml/m2 to 94 ml/m2, p < 0.05 vs. basal and placebo group) and end-systolic volume (from 74 ml/m2 to 62 ml/m2, p < 0.05 vs. basal and placebo group) reached statistical significance after six months of therapy, compared with baseline and corresponding placebo values, and they remained constant at one year of treatment (p < 0.05 vs. basal and placebo group). The clinical status of patients, assessed by NYHA functional classification, improved during the treatment period. Moreover, at the end of the trial, there were no patients in NYHA functional class IV in the carvedilol group, compared with 5.9% of the patients in the placebo arm. CONCLUSIONS: One year of therapy with carvedilol in dialysis patients with CHF and dilated cardiomyopathy reduces LV volumes and improves LV function and clinical status.     

Evaluation of biventricular involvement in hypotensive patients with transmural inferior infarction by two-dimensional echocardiography

Hypotension in inferior myocardial infarction (IMI) may be due to extensive involvement of the right ventricle (RV), left ventricle (LV), or both. We verified this hypothesis in 24 patients with IMI and hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg), within 48 hours of admission, by means of two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). We measured the extent of regional RV and LV asynergy (akinesis and/or dyskinesis) in parasternal short-axis sections at mitral, chordal, midpapillary muscle, and low papillary muscle levels. Initial right heart catheterization revealed predominant RV dysfunction in 16 patients (group 1) and predominant LV dysfunction in eight patients (group 2). For all patients, the initial 2DE revealed: (1) biventricular asynergy involving the posterior RV, posterior LV, and posterior interventricular septum; (2) a wide range of values for the extent of asynergy (RV 21% to 90%; LV 19% to 48%); and (3) a direct correlation between peak creatine kinase levels and percentage of LV asynergy (r = 0.80, p less than 0.001) or percentage of RV plus LV asynergy (r = 0.72, p less than 0.001). Although the extent of LV asynergy was similar in the two groups (34% vs 34%, NS), the extent of RV asynergy was greater in group 1 than in group 2 (57% vs 30%, p less than 0.001). More important, the ratio of RV/LV asynergy was greater for group 1 than group 2 (1.75 vs 0.89, p less than 0.001), and this difference in ratios between the two groups was also found in 2DE studies at 10 days and 6 months. A RV/LV asynergy ratio value of 1.1 provided clear separation between the groups. Thus, the RV/LV asynergy ratio on an initial 2DE can clarify the clinical syndrome of hypotension in patients with IMI. An increased asynergy ratio might identify those patients with predominant RV involvement.     

Role of tricuspid regurgitation and left ventricular damage in the treatment of right ventricular infarction-induced low cardiac output syndrome

To evaluate, in right ventricular (RV) myocardial infarction, the role of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and left ventricular (LV) damage and the response to treatment of low cardiac output, 20 patients were prospectively studied. Volume infusion increased cardiac output only slightly (11%, p less than 0.001), despite a dramatic increase in ventricular filling pressures. Dobutamine (4 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) markedly increased cardiac output (24%, p less than 0.001) with a decrease in ventricular filling pressures. In the 5 patients with TR, dobutamine only modestly increased cardiac output (9 vs 26%, p less than 0.001), while stroke index and LV end-diastolic dimensions decreased in comparison (-5 vs 33% and -6 vs 9%, respectively, p less than 0.001). In the absence of TR (n = 15), there was no significant difference in response to volume expansion between patients with normal (n = 7) and depressed LV ejection fraction (n = 8). In contrast, dobutamine, in patients with depressed LV function, induced a greater increase in cardiac output (38 vs 17%, p less than 0.01) and RV ejection fraction (36 vs 12%, p less than 0.05). All patients with RV infarction-induced low cardiac output responded only modestly to volume loading. Dobutamine is particularly efficacious in patients without TR who have depressed LV function by improving RV function and, consequently, LV preload. In the 5 patients with TR, increasing RV contractility failed to improve the forward stroke volume by increasing the regurgitant fraction.     

Usefulness of dipyridamole-thallium-201 perfusion scanning for distinguishing ischemic from nonischemic cardiomyopathy

To determine noninvasively the etiology of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, 22 patients with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy determined via cardiac catheterization and 5 normal control subjects underwent radionuclide ventriculography and intravenous dipyridamole-thallium-201 perfusion scanning. Both ischemically and nonischemically induced LV dysfunction had comparable global LV ejection fractions (24 +/- 6 vs 23 +/- 8%, respectively) and extent of segmental wall motion abnormalities. Right ventricular ejection fraction was significantly better in the group with an ischemic etiology of LV dysfunction (41 +/- 26 vs 13 +/- 10%, p less than 0.005) but significant group overlap was present. However, computer-assisted analysis of dipyridamole-thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scanning demonstrated more homogeneous myocardial perfusion in idiopathic cardiomyopathy (mean perfusion defect 25 +/- 11 vs 6 +/- 6%, p less than 0.001) and successfully predicted the correct etiology of LV dysfunction in 20 of 22 (91%) patients.     

Biventricular vs. left univentricular pacing in heart failure: rationale, design, and endpoints of the B-LEFT HF study.

AIMS: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) confers sustained therapeutic benefits to patients suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF) due to systolic dysfunction associated with ventricular dyssynchrony. Biventricular (BiV) pacing has, thus far, been the preferred method, as it corrects both electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony. Left ventricular (LV) only pacing, which has conferred similar benefits in pilot studies, may be an alternative treatment method. 'Biventricular vs. left univentricular pacing with ICD back-up in heart failure patients' (B-LEFT HF) is an international, prospective, randomized, parallel-design, double-blind, clinical trial to examine whether LV only pacing is as safe and effective as BiV pacing in patients suffering from CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The trial will randomly assign 172 patients to either LV only or BiV pacing. The study has prospectively defined efficacy endpoints to be evaluated at 6 months, which are (i) changes in functional capacity and degree of reverse remodelling (primary) and (ii) changes in the heart failure clinical composite response (secondary). CONCLUSION: Because LV only pacing in CRT is likely to be technically less challenging and costly than BiV, a specifically designed study is needed to compare the safety and effectiveness of the two configurations. B-LEFT HF has been designed to settle this critical issue.