Comparison of the prognostic value of left ventricular filling and peak oxygen uptake in patients with systolic heart failure

Aim The aim of this prospective study was to compare the prognostic value of the mitral inflow pattern and peak oxygen uptake in patients with systolic heart failure. Background Peak oxygen uptake is a major prognostic parameter in heart failure. It is not known whether a restrictive mitral inflow pattern has similar prognostic value. Methods One hundred heart failure patients (ejection fraction <45%) underwent exercise testing after Doppler evaluation; prognosis was assessed after a mean follow-up of 17 months. Results The ejection fraction was larger in group 1 (nonrestrictive pattern: EIA mitral wave ratio <1 or between 1 and 2 with E wave deceleration time greater than or equal to 140 ms, n=45) than in group 2 (restrictive pattern: EIA ratio >2 or between 1 and 2 with E deceleration time <140 ms: n=40) (29 +/- 9 vs 22 +/- 10%, P<0.05). Peak oxygen uptake was lower in group 2 (17 +/- 4 vs 22 +/- 5 ml . min(-1).kg(-1) 57 +/- 11 vs 75 +/- 15% of predicted values; P<0.05 for both comparisons). Univariate analysis showed that the deceleration time (r=0.65), E/A ratio (r= - 0.50) and heart rate increment (r=0.47) correlated best with peak oxygen uptake. A third group of patients with persistent fusion of the E and A waves (n = 15) had exercise responses similar to those of group 2 patients. A short deceleration time (P=0.006), a restrictive or a fusion pattern (P=0.04) were associated with a poor outcome; the prognostic value of these Doppler variables was greater than that of ejection fraction, but remained less than peak oxygen uptake indexed by predicted values (P=0.0004). Conclusion The left ventricular filling pattern is a strong predictor of exercise capacity, and outcome, in patients with systolic heart failure and is independent of the left ventricular election fraction. Peak oxygen uptake remains a more powerful prognostic variable. (EUF Heart J 2000; 21: 1864-1871, doi:10.1053/euhj.2000. 2174) (C) 2000 The European Society of Cardiology.