Cited 5 times since 2012 (0.4 per year) source: EuropePMC Journal of nuclear cardiology : official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Volume 19, Issue 6, 30 5 2012, Pages 1162-1169 Right ventricular ejection fraction measured by multigated planar equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography is an independent prognostic factor in patients with ischemic heart disease. van der Maas N, Braam RL, van der Zaag-Loonen HJ, Meerman J, Cozijnsen L, Scholte AJ
Background
The number of studies on the prognostic value of the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) is limited, whereas it is widely accepted that the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a strong prognostic factor. We assessed whether RVEF measured by multigated planar equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) is an independent prognostic factor in patients with IHD.
Methods and results
We retrospectively identified 347 consecutive patients with IHD (mean age 71 ± 11 years; 18% women) who underwent multigated planar equilibrium RNV between 2004 and 2008 to determine the LVEF, which also provided the RVEF (mean 44.7% ± 11.0%). We categorized patients according to RVEF in ≥40% (n = 240) and <40% (n = 107). Patients were followed for a median of 826 days (range 3-2,400) for the occurrence of events [all-cause mortality (n = 60), cardiac mortality (n = 33), and cardiac hospitalization (n = 78)]. Cox regression analysis with significant univariate predictors [coronary artery revascularization (P = .003), diuretics (P = .03), and statins (P < .001)] showed that an RVEF <40% was associated with a 2.90 (1.68-5.00)-fold higher risk of all-cause death. Accordingly, a decreased RVEF was associated with a 2.15 (1.34-3.43)-fold increase in the risk of cardiac hospitalization and a 5.11(2.32-11.23)-fold risk of cardiac death.
Conclusion
RVEF measured by multigated planar equilibrium RNV is an independent prognostic factor in patients with chronic IHD.
