BACKGROUND: Right ventricular function may be reduced in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). The prognostic implications of right ventricular dysfunction have not been investigated in this group of patients. METHODS: In a series of 120 consecutive patients with IDC [defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 55%, normal coronary arteries and no other causes for left ventricular dysfunction], right ventricular function was prospectively evaluated by means of angiocardiography at the time of catheterization. A head-to-head comparison of ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, end-diastolic pressure, stroke work index and end-systolic pressure/volume ratio of the left and right ventricle was performed according to the Cox's proportional hazard method for the pre-defined end-point of transplant-free survival. RESULTS: In the study population, LVEF was 31 +/- 11% and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was 34 +/- 10%. After a mean follow-up of 30 months (range 12-120 months), 26 patients died (22%) and 14 (12%) underwent heart transplantation. At univariate analysis, all the above mentioned parameters were significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with outcome except left and right ventricular end-systolic pressure/volume ratio. At multivariate analysis, independent predictors of transplant-free survival were RVEF (P = 0.001), right ventricular stroke work index (P = 0.015), right ventricular end-diastolic volume (P = 0.034) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (P = 0.048), but not LVEF. The same relation holds true considering the end point of total mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Parameters of right ventricular function are strong predictors of survival in IDC, even in patients enrolled over a wide range of LVEFs. The present study suggests that right ventricular function should be evaluated in patients with IDC. A large non-invasive based study on right ventricular function in IDC appears to be warranted.
BACKGROUND: Right ventricular function may be reduced in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). The prognostic implications of right ventricular dysfunction have not been investigated in this group of patients. METHODS: In a series of 120 consecutive patients with IDC [defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 55%, normal coronary arteries and no other causes for left ventricular dysfunction], right ventricular function was prospectively evaluated by means of angiocardiography at the time of catheterization. A head-to-head comparison of ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, end-diastolic pressure, stroke work index and end-systolic pressure/volume ratio of the left and right ventricle was performed according to the Cox's proportional hazard method for the pre-defined end-point of transplant-free survival. RESULTS: In the study population, LVEF was 31 +/- 11% and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was 34 +/- 10%. After a mean follow-up of 30 months (range 12-120 months), 26 patients died (22%) and 14 (12%) underwent heart transplantation. At univariate analysis, all the above mentioned parameters were significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with outcome except left and right ventricular end-systolic pressure/volume ratio. At multivariate analysis, independent predictors of transplant-free survival were RVEF (P = 0.001), right ventricular stroke work index (P = 0.015), right ventricular end-diastolic volume (P = 0.034) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (P = 0.048), but not LVEF. The same relation holds true considering the end point of total mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Parameters of right ventricular function are strong predictors of survival in IDC, even in patients enrolled over a wide range of LVEFs. The present study suggests that right ventricular function should be evaluated in patients with IDC. A large non-invasive based study on right ventricular function in IDC appears to be warranted.
Authors: Paul A van der Zwaag; Ingrid A W van Rijsingen; Angeliki Asimaki; Jan D H Jongbloed; Dirk J van Veldhuisen; Ans C P Wiesfeld; Moniek G P J Cox; Laura T van Lochem; Rudolf A de Boer; Robert M W Hofstra; Imke Christiaans; Karin Y van Spaendonck-Zwarts; Ronald H Lekanne dit Deprez; Daniel P Judge; Hugh Calkins; Albert J H Suurmeijer; Richard N W Hauer; Jeffrey E Saffitz; Arthur A M Wilde; Maarten P van den Berg; J Peter van Tintelen Journal: Eur J Heart Fail Date: 2012-07-20 Impact factor: 15.534
Authors: Evan L Brittain; Meredith E Pugh; Lisa A Wheeler; Ivan M Robbins; James E Loyd; John H Newman; Eric D Austin; Anna R Hemnes Journal: JACC Heart Fail Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 12.035
Authors: Evan L Brittain; Meredith E Pugh; Lisa A Wheeler; Ivan M Robbins; James E Loyd; John H Newman; Emma K Larkin; Eric D Austin; Anna R Hemnes Journal: Pulm Circ Date: 2013-12-03 Impact factor: 3.017