A hemodynamically oriented echocardiography-based strategy in the treatment of congestive heart failure

The therapeutic applicability of echocardiographic evaluations remains poorly defined in heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that an individualized echocardiography-guided strategy would be feasible and significantly reduce morbidity compared with the conventional clinically oriented treatment.

We conducted a single-center clinical trial comparing an echocardiography-guided strategy aimed at achieving a near-normal hemodynamic profile and a conventional clinically oriented strategy for HF management. The echocardiography-guided strategy was based on sequential echocardiograms to evaluate hemodynamically derived parameters. Pharmacologic therapy was guided according to a predefined protocol. The primary efficacy end point was time to the first event of combined all-cause mortality and all-cause hospitalization or emergency department visit up to 1 year of follow-up. We studied 96 outpatients with HF, enrolled from 1999 to 2003, with predominantly nonischemic cause and a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 26% +/- 6%. Event-free survival at a mean follow-up of 230 days was 58.5% with the echocardiography-guided strategy and 36.5% with the clinically based strategy (relative risk = 0.54, 95% confidence interval = 0.31-0.97, P = .04). More patients in the echocardiography-based group received high-dose loop diuretics (absolute difference of 19%, P = .02) and hydralazine (absolute difference of 30%, P < .001). Significant reductions of estimates of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (mean difference of -9 mm Hg, P = .02) and systemic vascular resistance index (mean difference of -700 dyn x sec x m2 x cm5, P = .02) were observed in the echocardiography-guided group.

A hemodynamically oriented echocardiography-based strategy is feasible and decreases HF morbidity. This benefit could be attributed in part to the rational and individualized use of higher doses of diuretics and vasodilators.