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Left ventricular versus biventricular dysfunction in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
L La Vecchia1, M Paccanaro, C Bonanno
1Department of Cardiology, Ospedale S. Bortolo, Vicenza, Italy.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|March 12, 1999
Summary
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy often involves both ventricles, leading to more severe disease. Biventricular dysfunction in these patients indicates a poorer prognosis and reduced transplant-free survival.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Heart Failure Research
Background:
- Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a significant cause of heart failure.
- The extent of right ventricular (RV) involvement in DCM is not fully characterized.
- Understanding RV function is crucial for assessing disease severity and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and clinical implications of biventricular dysfunction in patients with idiopathic DCM.
- To compare the outcomes of patients with isolated left ventricular (LV) dysfunction versus biventricular dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-five consecutive idiopathic DCM patients were classified based on LV ejection fraction (<50%) and RV ejection fraction (<35%).
- Patients were categorized into two groups: LV dysfunction and biventricular dysfunction.
- Clinical data, including New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and transplant-free survival, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 49 out of 85 patients (57.6%) presented with biventricular dysfunction.
- Patients with biventricular dysfunction showed significantly worse NYHA functional class (2.7 vs 1.9, p <0.001).
- Biventricular dysfunction was associated with lower LV ejection fraction (26% vs 34%, p <0.0001) and poorer transplant-free survival (55% vs 89%, p <0.001).
Conclusions:
- Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy frequently involves biventricular dysfunction.
- Biventricular involvement signifies a more severe form of DCM.
- RV dysfunction in DCM predicts a worse long-term prognosis and reduced survival.