Summary
The definition of chronic heart failure (CHF) in clinical practice concentrates on two essential features, namely symptoms suggesting CHF and the objective demonstration of a sufficient severity of cardiac dysfunction. The cardiac dysfunction may be endocardial, myocardial, pericardial, valvular or arrhythmic in nature.
Relief of symptoms, at least by the use of diuretic therapy, supports the relationship between cardiac dysfunction and symptoms. However, asymptomatic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is also common, is associated with a high morbidity and mortality and is amenable to treatment. Therefore it is appropriate to try and identify asymptomatic LV dysfunction.
Estimates of the prevalence of CHF in the adult population range from 4 to 20 per 1000 people, rising with age up to 170 per 1000 people aged 70 years and over. Previous estimates of a prevalence of CHF of about 1% (10 per 1000) are broadly supported by more recent data. Estimates of the prevalence of asymptomatic LV dysfunction range from 8 to 59 per 1000, depending on age, the echocardiographic method for measuring ventricular dysfunction and the threshold value of ejection fraction used to separate those with and without LV dysfunction. Asymptomatic LV dysfunction is at least as common and possibly twice as common as CHF.
The first step in screening for CHF and LV dysfunction is the recognition of symptoms of CHF and knowledge of the past medical history, in particular a history of myocardial infarction. However, many patients with LV dysfunction will be asymptomatic and in at least 50% of patients with some of the clinical features of CHF the diagnosis cannot be sustained by more detailed investigation.
Echocardiography is currently the tool of choice to investigate LV dysfunction although important problems of interpretation of many echocardiographic measurements exist. Echocardiographic examination should be performed on all patients suspected of having CHF before the diagnosis is accepted. It does not generally appear an effective use of resources to screen the general population for asymptomatic LV dysfunction echocardiographically. Screening patients who have had a myocardial infarction (recent or remote) increases the yield of LV dysfunction, with up to 40% of patients surviving hospital admission having important ventricular dysfunction. It is less clear if screening patients with longstanding hypertension or diabetes mellitus is appropriate.
Access to echocardiography is restricted in some communities. In these cases, a normal ECG may identify patients at low risk of LV dysfunction. A normal chest x-ray is probably less effective than the ECG in excluding LV dysfunction. However, it should be recognised that it is probably often simpler, more accurate and less expensive to perform echocardiography as the initial investigation.
More recently, the potential for natriuretic peptides to identify LV dysfunction has been investigated. Currently, there is sufficient evidence to indicate that these biochemical measures are a useful way of confirming LV dysfunction or CHF in cohorts of patients. Whether natriuretic peptides will prove sufficiently accurate to be used to exclude CHF in individuals remains to be determined. Echocardiography will still be required in those with elevated levels of natriuretic peptides to identify the cause of the cardiac dysfunction.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cleland JGF, Erdmann E, Ferrari R, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis of heart failure. Eur Heart J 1995; 16: 741–51
Dutka DP, Olivotto I, Ward S, et al. Plasma neuroendocrine activity in very elderly subjects and patients with and without heart failure. Eur Heart J 1995; 16: 1223–30
Cleland JGF, Cowburn PJ, McMurray JJV. Heart failure: evidence based strategies for management. In: Cleland JGF, editor. London: Science Press, 1997
Remes J, Miettinen H, Reunanen A, et al. Validity of clinical diagnosis of heart failure in primary health care. Eur Heart J 1991; 12: 315–21
Wheeldon NM, MacDonald TM, Flucker CJ, et al. Echocardiography in chronic heart failure in the community. Q J Med 1993; 86: 17–23
Clarke KW, Gray D, Hampton JR. Evidence of inadequate investigation and treatment of patients with heart failure. Br Heart J 1994; 71: 584–7
Hobbs FDR, Davis RC, Wosornu D, et al. Screening the heart of england: heart failure epidemiology in the English West Midlands [abstract]. Proceedings of the 3rd European Congress on Family Medicine. 1996 Jun 30–Jul 4; Stockholm, 41
Hlatky MA, Fleg JL, Hinton PC, et al. Physician practice in the management of congestive heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 1986; 8: 966–70
Cleland JGF, Habib F. Assessment and diagnosis of heart failure. J Intern Med 1996; 239: 317–25
McDonagh TA, Morrison CE, McMurray JJ, et al. The prevalence of left ventricular dysfunction in north Glasgow [abstract]. Circulation 1994; 90 Suppl.: 1–282
LeJemtel TH, Liang CS, Stewart DK, et al. Reduced peak aerobic capacity in asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a substudy of the studies of left ventricular dysfunction (SOLVD). Circulation 1994; 90: 2757–60
Harlan WR, Oberman A, Grimm R, et al. Chronic congestive heart failure in coronary artery disease: clinical criteria. Ann Intern Med 1977; 86: 133–8
Marantz PR, Tobin JN, Wassertheil-Smoller S. The relationship between left ventricular systolic function and congestive heart failure diagnosed by clinical criteria. Circulation 1988; 77: 607–12
Butman SM, Ewy GA, Sranden JR, et al. Bedside cardiovascular examination in patients with sever chronic heart failure: importance of rest or inducible jugular venous distension. J Am Coll Cardiol 1993; 22: 968–74
Spiteri MA, Cook DG, Clarke SW. Reliability of eliciting physical signs in examination of the chest. Lancet 1988; I: 873–5
Ishmail AA, Wing S, Ferguson J, et al. Interobserver agreement by auscultation in the presence of a third heart sound in patients with congestive heart failure. Chest 1987; 91: 870–3
O’Neill TW, Barry M, Smith M, et al. Diagnostic value of the apex beat. Lancet 1989; I: 410–1
Stevenson LW, Perloff JK. The limited reliability of physical signs for estimating hemodynamics heart failure. JAMA 1989; 261: 884–8
Parameshwar J, Shackell MM, Richardson A, et al. Prevalence of heart failure in three general practices in north west London. Br J Gen Pract 1992; 42: 287–9
Philbin EF, Andreou C, Rocco TA, et al. Patterns of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use in congestive heart failure in two community hospitals. Am J Cardiol 1996; 77: 832–8
Hillis G, Trent R, Winton P, et al. Angiotensin-Converting enzyme inhibitors: are we ignoring the evidence? Q J Med 1996; 89: 145–50
Davie AP, Francis CM, Love MP, et al. Value of the electrocardiogram in identifying heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. BMJ 1996; 312: 222
Rihal CS, Davis KB, Kennedy JW, et al. The utility of clinical, electrocardiographic, and roentgenographic variables in the prediction of left ventricular function. Am J Cardiol 1995; 75: 220–3
Houghton AR, Staniforth AD, Sparrow NJ, et al. Using the electrocardiogram to select patients with suspected heart failure for echocardiography [abstract]. Proc Heart Failure Update 1996: P–34
Poole-Wilson PA, on behalf of the NETWORK investigators: the NETWORK study. The effect of dose of an ACE-inhibitor on outcome in patients with heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 1996; 27Suppl. A: 141A
Freedman RA, Alderman EL, Sheffield LT, et al. Bundle branch block in patients with chronic coronary artery disease: angiographic correlates and prognostic significance. J Am Coll Cardiol 1987; 10: 73–80
Poole-Wilson PA, Cleland JGF, Hubbard WN, et al. Clinical outcome with enalapril in symptomatic chronic heart failure: a dose comparison. The NETWORK Investigators. Lancet. In press
Bruce RA, Fisher LD, Pettinger M, et al. ST segment elevation with exercise: a marker for poor ventricular function and poor prognosis. Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) confirmation of Seattle Heart Watch results. Circulation 1988; 77: 897–905
Mosterd A, de Bruijne MC, Hoes AW, et al. Usefulness of echocardiography in detecting left ventricular dysfunction in population based studies (the Rotterdam Study). Am J Cardiol 1997; 79: 103–4
Cohn JN, Johnson GR, Shabetai R, et al. Ejection fraction, peak exercise oxygen consumption, cardiothoracic ratio, ventricular arrhythmias, and plasma norepinephrine as determinants of prognosis in heart failure. Circulation 1993; 87: VI5–16
Alam M, Rosehamer G, Hoglund C. Comparability of echocardiography and chest x-ray following myocardial infarction. Intern Med 1989; 226: 171–3
Madsen EB, Gilpin E, Slutsky RA, et al. Usefulness of the chest x-ray for predicting abnormal left ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction. Am Heart J 1984; 108: 1431–6
McNamara RF, Carleen E, Moss AJ, et al. Estimating left ventricular ejection fraction after myocardial infarction by various clinical parameters. Am J Cardiol 1988; 62: 192–6
McHugh TJ, Forrester JS, Adler L, et al. Pulmonary vascular congestion in acute myocardial infarction: hemodynamic and radiologie correlations. Ann Intern Med 1972; 76: 29–33
Kostuk W, Barr JW, Simon AL, et al. Correlations between the chest film and hemodynamics in acute myocardial infarction. Circulation 1973; 48: 624–32
Chakko S, Woska D, Martinez H, et al. Clinical, radiographic, and hemodynamic correlations in chronic congestive heart failure: conflicting results may lead to inappropriate care. Am J Med 1991; 90: 353–9
Kundel HL, Revesz G. Digital analysis of chest radiographs in pulmonary vascular congestion. Radiology 1982; 143:407–10
Rocker GM, Rose DH, Manhire AR, et al. The radiographic differentiation of pulmonary oedema. Br J Radiol 1989; 62: 582–6
Gjorup T, Kelbaek H, Vestergaard B, et al. Prospective, randomised, double-blind study of radionuclide determination of left-ventricular ejection fraction in acute myocardial infarction. Lancet 1986; I: 583–5
Jolobe OMP, Davidson NC, Choy A, et al. Detection of left ventricular dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction: comparison of clinical, echocardiographic, and neurohormonal methods. Br Heart J 1994; 73: 101–2
Gadsboll N, Hoilund-Carlsen PF, Nielsen GG. Symptoms and signs of heart failure in patients with myocardial infarction: reproducibility and relationship to chest x-ray, radionuclide ventriculography and right heart catheterisation. Eur Heart J 1989; 10: 1017–28
Cook DG, Shaper AG. Breathlessness, lung function and the risk of heart attack. Eur Heart J 1988; 9: 1215–22
Kannel WB, D’Agostino RB, Silbershatz H. Use of vital capacity for cardiac failure risk estimation in persons with coronary disease and left ventricular hypertrophy. Am J Cardiol 1996; 77: 1155–8
McNamara RM, Cionni DJ. Utility of the peak expiratory flow rate in the differentiation of acute dyspnea; cardiac vs pulmonary origin. Chest 1992; 101: 129–32
Aguirre FV, Pearson AC, Lewen MK, et al. Usefulness of doppler achocardiography in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Am J Cardiol 1989; 63: 1098–102
Andren B, Lind L, Hedenstierna G, et al. Left ventricular hypertrophy and a decreased E-A ratio are common echocardiographic findings even in apparently healthy 70-year-old men. Cardiol Elderly 1995; 3: 367–71
Clark AL, Coats AJS. Usefulness of arterial blood gas estimations during exercise in patients with chronic heart failure. Br Heart J 1994; 71: 528–30
Moore DP, Weston AR, Hughes JMB, et al. Effects of increased inspired oxygen concentrations on exercise performance in chronic heart failure. Lancet 1992; 339: 950–3
Lerman A, Gibbons A, Rodeheffer RJ. Circulating N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide as a marker for symptomless left ventricular dysfunction. Lancet 1993; 341: 1105–9
Davis KM, Fish LC, Elahi D, et al. Atrial natriuretic peptide levels in the prediction of congestive heart failure risk in the elderly. JAMA 1992; 267: 2625–9
Davidson NC, Naas AA, Hanson JK, et al. Comparison of atrial natriuretic peptide B-type natriuretic peptide, and N-terminal praoatrial natriuretic peptide as indicators of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Am J Cardiol 1996; 77: 828–31
Wallen T, Landahl S, Hedner T, Hall C. Atrialpeptides, ANP(1–98) and ANP(99–126) in health and disease in an elderly population. Eur Heart J 1993; 14: 1508–13
Cleland JGF, Ward S, Dutka D, et al. Stability of plasma concentrations of N and C terminal atrial natriuretic peptides at room temperature. Heart 1996; 75: 410–3
Yu CM, Sanderson JE, Shum IOL, et al. Diastolic dysfunction and natriuretic peptides in systolic heart failure. Eur Heart J 1996; 17: 1694–702
Struthers AD. Diastolic dysfunction and ANP/BNP levels. Eur Heart J 1996; 17: 1617–8
Benedict CR, Weiner DH, Johnstone DE, et al. Comparative neurohormonal responses in patients with preserved and impaired left ventricular ejection fraction: results of the studies of left ventricular dysfunction (SOLVD) registry. J Am Coll Cardiol 1993; 22: 146A–53A
Cleland JGF, Cowburn PJ, Morgan K. Neuroendocrine activation after myocardial infarction: causes and consequences. Heart 1996; 76Suppl. 3: 53–9
Richards AM, Cleland JGF, Tonolo G, et al. Plasma alpha natriuretic peptide in cardiac impairment. BMJ 1986; 293: 409–12
Cleland JGF, Struthers A. Neutral endopeptidase inhibitors: effects on peptide metabolism and potential therapeutic use in the treatment of heart failure. Heart Failure. In press
Anderson JV, Woodruff PW, Bloom SR. The effect of treatment of congestive heart failure on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration: longitudinal study. Br Heart J 1987; 57: 578–9
Logan WPD, Cushion AA. Morbidity statistics from general practice: studies on medical and population subjects. HMSO 1958; 1 (14)
Anonymous, Royal College of General Practitioners, Office of Population Census and Survey, and Department of Health and Social Security. Morbidity statistics from general practice: third national study, 1981–82. HMSO 1995
Rodeheffer RJ, Jacobsen SJ, Gersh BJ, et al. The incidence and prevalence of congestive heart failure in Rochester, Minnesota. Mayo Clin Proc 1993; 68: 1143–50
Mair FS, Crowley TS, Bundred PE. Prevalence, aetiology and management of heart failure in general practice. Br Gen Pract 1996; 46: 77–9
Clarke KW, Gray D, Hampton JR. How common is heart failure? Evidence from PACT (Prescribing Analysis and Cost) data in Nottingham. J Publ Health Med 1996; 17: 459–64
McKee PA, Castelli WP, McNamara PM, et al. The natural history of congestive heart failure: the Framingham study. N Engl J Med 1971; 285: 1441–6
Landahl S, Svanborg K, Åstrand K, et al. Heart volume and the prevalence of certain common cardiovascular disorders at 70 and 75 years of age. Eur Heart J 1984; 5: 326–31
Eriksson H, Svardsudd K, Larsson B, et al. Risk factors for heart failure in the general population: the study of men born in 1913. Eur Heart J 1989; 10: 647–56
Shocken DD, Arrieta MI, Leaverton PE, et al. Prevalence and mortality rate of congestive heart failure in the United States. J Am Coll Cardiol 1992; 20: 301–6
McDonagh T, Morrison CE, McMurray JJ, et al. Global left ventricular systolic dysfunction in north Glasgow. J Am Coll Cardiol 1996; 27: 106A
Gardin JM, Arnold A, Kitzman D, et al. Congestive heart failure with preserved systolic function in a large community-dwelling elderly cohort: the cardiovascular health study. J Am Coll Cardiol 1995; 25: 423A
Brockell U, Hense HW, Muscholl M, et al. Prevalence of left ventricular dysfunction in the general population [abstract]. J Am Coll Cardiol 1996; 27 Suppl.: 25A
Ho K, Pinsky JL, Kannel WB, et al. The epidemiology of heart failure: the Framingham study. J Am Coll Cardiol 1993 1993; 22: 6A–13A
Phillips SJ, Whisnant JP, O’Fallon WM, et al. Prevalence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitius in residences of Rochester, Minnesota. Mayo Clin Proc 1990; 65: 344–59
Ambrosio GB, Riva L, Casiglia E. Prevalence of congestive heart failure (CHF) in elderly. A survey from a population in Veneto region. Acta Cardiol 1994; 49: 324–5
Mittelmark MB, Psaty BM, Rauthaharju PM, et al. Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among older adults. The Cardiovascular Health Study. Am J Epidemiol 1993; 137: 311–7
Cowie MR, Mosterd A, Wood DA, et al. The epidemiology of heart failure. Eur Heart J 1997; 18: 208–23
Lauer MS, Evans JC, Levy D. Prognostic implications of sub-clinical left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction in men free of overt cardiovascular disease (the Framingham Heart Study). Am J Cardiol 1992; 70: 1180–4
Gardin JM, Siscovick D, Anton-Culver H, et al. Sex, age and disease affect echocardiographic left ventricular mass and systolic function in the free-living elderly: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Circulation 1995; 91: 1739–48
Vasan RS, Benjamin EJ, Levy D. Prevalence, clinical features and prognosis of diastolic heart failure: an epidemiologic perspective. J Am Coll Cardiol 1995; 26: 1565–74
Remes J, Reunan A, Aromaa A, etal. Incidence of heart failure in eastern Finland: a population-based surveillance study. Eur Heart J 1992; 13: 588–93
Ho KKL, Pinsky JL, Kannel WB, et al. The epidemiology of heart failure: the Framingham study. J Am Coll Cardiol 1993; 22: 6A–13A
McKee PA, Castelli WP, McNamara PM, et al. The natural history of congestive heart failure: the Framingham study. N Engl J Med 1971; 285: 1441–6
Ho KKL, Anderson KM, Kannel WB, et al. Survival after the onset of congestive heart failure in the Framingham heart study subjects. Circulation 1993; 88: 107–15
Cleland JGF. ACE inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of heart failure: why are they ‘under-used’? J Hum Hypertens 1995; 9: 435–42
Williamson J, Chopin JM. Adverse reactions to prescribed drugs in the elderly: a multicentre investigation. Age Ageing 1980; 9: 73–80
Yusuf S, Nicklas JM, Timmis G, et al. Effect of enalapril on mortality and the development of heart failure in asymptomatic patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fractions. N Engl J Med 1992; 327: 685–91
Moser M, Hebert PR. Prevention of disease progression, left ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure in hypertension treatment trials. J Am Coll Cardiol 1996; 27: 1214–8
Kjekshus J, Pedersen T. Lowering of cholesterol with simva-statin may prevent development of heart failure in patients with coronary heart disease [abstract]. J Am Coll Cardiol 1995; Suppl.: 282A
Rutherford JD, Pfeffer MA, Moye LA, et al. Effects of Captopril on ischemic events after myocardial infarction. Results of the Survival And Ventricular Enlargement trial. Circulation 1994; 90: 1731–8
Pfeffer MA, Braunwald E, Moye LA, et al. Effect of Captopril on mortality and morbidity in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction: results of the survival and ventricular enlargement trial. N Engl J Med 1992; 327: 669–77
Kannel WB. Epidemiology and prevention of cardiac failure: Framingham Study insights. Eur Heart J 1987; 8: 23–8
Ball SG, Hall AS, Mackintosh AF, et al. Effect of ramipril and morbidity of survivors of acute myocardial infarction with clinical evidence of heart failure. Lancet 1993; 342: 821–8
Nicod P, Gilpin E, Dittrich H, et al. Influence on prognosis and morbidity of left ventricular ejection fraction with and without signs of left ventricular failure after acute myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol 1988; 61: 1165–71
De Vita C, Fazzini PF, Geraci E, et al. GISSI-3: effects of lisinopril and transdermal glyceryl binitrate singly and together on 6-week mortality and ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction. Lancet 1994; 343: 1115–22
Kannel WB, Sorlie P, McNamara PM. Prognosis after initial myocardial infarction: the Framingham study. Am J Cardiol 1979; 44: 53–9
Sutton GC. Epidemiologic aspects of heart failure. Am Heart J 1990; 120 Suppl.: 1538–40
Capone RJ, Pawitan Y, El-Sherif NE. Events in the cardiac arrhythmia suppression trial: baseline predictors of mortality in placebo treated patients. J Am Coll Cardiol 1991; 18: 1434–8
Taffet G, Teasdale TA, Bleyer AJ, et al. Survival of elderly men with congestive heart failure. Age Ageing 1992; 21: 49–55
Greenberg B, Quinones MA, Koilpillai C, et al. Effects of long-term enalapril therapy on cardiac structure and function in patients with left ventricular dysfunction: results of the SOLVD echocardiography substudy. Circulation 1995; 91: 2573–81
Sutton MSJ, Pfeffer MA, Plappert T, et al. Quantitative two-dimensional echocardiographic measurements are major predictors of adverse cardiovascular events after acute myocardial infarction: the protective effects of Captopril. Circulation 1994; 89: 68–75
Levy D, Garrison RJ, Savage DD, et al. Prognostic implications of echocardiographically determined left ventricular mass in the Framingham heart study. N Engl J Med 1990; 322: 1561–6
Hall C, Rouleau JL, De Champlain, et al. N-terminal proatrial natriuretic factor: an independent predictor of long term prognosis after myocardial infarction. Circulation 1994; 89: 1934–42
Enright PL, Kronmal RA, Smith VE, et al. Reduced vital capacity in elderly pesrons with hypertension, coronary heart disease or left ventricular hypertrophy: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Chest 1995; 107: 28–35
Ohmichi N, Iwai N, Nakamura Y, et al. The genotype of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and global left ventricular dysfunction after myorcardial infarction. Am J Cardiol 1995; 76: 326–9
Pinto YM, Van Gilst WH, Herre et al. Deletion-type allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene is associated with progressive ventricular dilation after anterior myocardial infarction. J Am Coll Cardiol 1995; 25: 1622–6
Cleland JGF. Diagnosis of heart failure. Heart. In press
Choudhri AH, Cleland JGF, Rowlands PC, et al. Unsuspected renal artery stenosis in peripheral vascular disease. BMJ 1990; 301: 1197–8
Monane M, Bohn RL, Gurwitz JH, et al. Noncompliance with congestive heart failure therapy in the elderly. Arch Intern Med 1994; 154: 433–7
Ghali JK, Kadakia S, Cooper R, et al. Precipitating factors leading to decompensationof heart failure. Arch Intern Med 1988; 148: 2013–6
Rich MW, Vinson JM, Sperry JC, et al. Prevention of readmission in elderly patients with congestive heart failure: Results of a prospective, randomized pilot study. J Gen Intern Med 1993; 8: 585–90
Rich MW, Beckham V, Wittenberg C, et al. A multidisciplinary intervention to prevent the readmission of elderly patients with congestive heart failure. N Engl J Med 1995; 333: 1190–5
Kostis JB, Rosen RC, Cosgrove NM, et al. Nonpharmacologic therapy improves functional and emotional status in congestive heart failure. Chest 1994; 106: 996–1001
Keeling PJ, Gang Y, Smith G, et al. Familial dilated cardiomyopathy in the United Kingdom. Br Heart J 1995; 73: 417–21
Kober L, Torp Pedersen C. Clinical characteristics and mortality of patients screened for entry into the Trandolapril Cardiac Evaluation (TRACE) study. Am J Cardiol 1995; 76: 1–5
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cleland, J.G.F. Screening For Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Chronic Heart Failure. Dis Manage Health Outcomes 1, 169–184 (1997). https://doi.org/10.2165/00115677-199701040-00001
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00115677-199701040-00001