Right Ventricular Function as a Predictor for Outcome in Heart Failure Patients

Abstract

Background: Right ventricle (RV) function has been an important independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with congenital heart disease, heart failure (HF), pulmonary hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The objective of this study was the early prediction of RV dysfunction as a predictor for outcome in HF patients according to ejection fraction (EF).

Methods: This prospective study involved 100 patients diagnosed with HF, both sexes. Patients were divided into two groups major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) group (n=30) and No MACE group (n=70).

Results: There was a significant difference between patients who had MACE and patients who had not regarded SBP and NT-proBNP. There was a significant difference between patients who had MACE and patients who had not regarded LVEF, ePASP, RV FAC, right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS), RVGLS, and NYHA classification. RV FAC yielded significant at cut off point of 32 with sensitivity of 83.6% and specificity of 82.8%. RV GLS yielded significantly at cut off point of -15.2 with sensitivity of 98.2% and specificity of 85.7%.

Conclusions: RV dysfunction is an independent determinant of outcomes in patients with HF, and it demonstrates that RV free wall strain is a stronger and more precise predictor of outcome than RV global strain in the presence of LV systolic dysfunction.