Echocardiographic parameters and all-cause mortality: the Rotterdam Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Preventive Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Preclinical ventricular dysfunction, even without clinical symptoms, can increase morbidity and mortality.
• Early therapeutic interventions may improve outcomes in individuals with early-stage heart dysfunction.
• Data on echocardiographic predictors in the general population are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the predictive value of echocardiographic parameters for all-cause mortality in an asymptomatic, elderly population.
• To identify specific echocardiographic characteristics associated with increased mortality risk.

Main Methods:

• The Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort of individuals aged 55 years and older, was utilized.
• Exclusion criteria included prevalent heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation.
• Two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography assessed structural, systolic, and diastolic parameters in 4425 participants.

Main Results:

• Increased left ventricular mass was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, especially in men.
• An E/A ratio <0.75 and impaired diastolic relaxation were significant risk factors for mortality in men.
• Left ventricular systolic function and fractional shortening did not show a clear association with mortality.

Conclusions:

• Structural and diastolic echocardiographic findings are associated with all-cause mortality in asymptomatic individuals.
• The current evidence does not support using echocardiography for screening asymptomatic individuals for preclinical ventricular dysfunction.