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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
Survival in patients with heart failure and normal basal systolic wall motion
1Reed Institute, Miami, Florida.
Insights
Congestive heart failure (CHF) with preserved systolic function is common and linked to better survival. However, distinguishing this condition requires echocardiography, not just bedside assessment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Heart Failure Research
Background:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a significant clinical challenge.
- The prognostic impact of preserved systolic function in CHF requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic significance of preserved systolic function in patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
- To determine if preserved systolic function in CHF is associated with improved patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of survival curves in 91 adult patients with congestive heart failure.
- Patients were stratified into two groups based on fractional shortening: normal (>0.17) versus decreased (≤0.17).
- Comparison of historical and physical findings between the two groups to ensure baseline similarity.
Main Results:
- Median survival was 11 months for patients with decreased fractional shortening and 26 months for those with normal fractional shortening.
- Patients with decreased fractional shortening exhibited significantly shorter survival (p = 0.01).
- Congestive heart failure with preserved systolic function was found to be common.
Conclusions:
- Preserved systolic function in congestive heart failure is associated with a better prognosis.
- Distinguishing CHF with preserved systolic function at the bedside is unreliable; diagnostic tests like echocardiography are necessary.
- This subgroup may necessitate non-standard therapeutic approaches.
Abstract:
To assess the prognostic effect of preserved systolic function in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), the authors analyzed survival curves in 91 nonselected adult patients with CHF. Patients were assigned to one of two groups on the basis of fractional shortening. The first group consisted of 44 patients with a normal fractional shortening (greater than 0.17), and the second group, of 47 patients with a fractional shortening of 0.17 or less. The two groups were similar in respect to all historical and physical findings. Median survival was eleven months for patients with a decreased fractional shortening and twenty-six months for patients with a normal fractional shortening. Patients with a decreased fractional shortening had a significantly shorter survival (p = 0.01). The authors conclude that congestive heart failure with preserved systolic function is common and is associated with a better prognosis, and the literature suggests it may require nonstandard therapy. Their data also suggest, however, that CHF patients with preserved systolic function cannot be reliably distinguished at the bedside. Rather, echocardiography or other tests of systolic wall motion are needed to make the diagnosis.
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