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Right ventricular ejection fraction measured by multigated planar equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography is an independent prognostic factor in patients with ischemic heart disease

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Journal of Nuclear Cardiology Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

The number of studies on the prognostic value of the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) is limited, whereas it is widely accepted that the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a strong prognostic factor. We assessed whether RVEF measured by multigated planar equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) is an independent prognostic factor in patients with IHD.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively identified 347 consecutive patients with IHD (mean age 71 ± 11 years; 18% women) who underwent multigated planar equilibrium RNV between 2004 and 2008 to determine the LVEF, which also provided the RVEF (mean 44.7% ± 11.0%). We categorized patients according to RVEF in ≥40% (n = 240) and <40% (n = 107). Patients were followed for a median of 826 days (range 3-2,400) for the occurrence of events [all-cause mortality (n = 60), cardiac mortality (n = 33), and cardiac hospitalization (n = 78)]. Cox regression analysis with significant univariate predictors [coronary artery revascularization (P = .003), diuretics (P = .03), and statins (P < .001)] showed that an RVEF <40% was associated with a 2.90 (1.68-5.00)-fold higher risk of all-cause death. Accordingly, a decreased RVEF was associated with a 2.15 (1.34-3.43)-fold increase in the risk of cardiac hospitalization and a 5.11(2.32-11.23)-fold risk of cardiac death.

Conclusion

RVEF measured by multigated planar equilibrium RNV is an independent prognostic factor in patients with chronic IHD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    N. van der Maas, R. L. Braam MD, PhD & L. Cozijnsen MD

  2. Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, PO 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    N. van der Maas & A. J. H. A. Scholte MD, PhD

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    H. J. van der Zaag-Loonen PhD

  4. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    J. Meerman

Authors
  1. N. van der Maas
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  2. R. L. Braam MD, PhD
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  3. H. J. van der Zaag-Loonen PhD
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  4. J. Meerman
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  5. L. Cozijnsen MD
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  6. A. J. H. A. Scholte MD, PhD
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Correspondence to A. J. H. A. Scholte MD, PhD.

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van der Maas, N., Braam, R.L., van der Zaag-Loonen, H.J. et al. Right ventricular ejection fraction measured by multigated planar equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography is an independent prognostic factor in patients with ischemic heart disease. J. Nucl. Cardiol. 19, 1162–1169 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-012-9613-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-012-9613-y

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