Evaluation of Myocardial Contraction Fraction as an Echocardiographic Predictor of Functional Capacity in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Abstract

atients with chronic heart failure (CHF) experience marked reduction in their exercise capacity which has detrimental effects on their activities of daily living, health related quality of life (HRQoL), and ultimately their hospital admission rate and mortality. For years, cardiologists have tried to solve the long standing dilemma of discrepant functional capacity in patients with heart failure and similar chronic ventricular dysfunction. Several explanations have been suggested that attributed this discrepancy to the fact that LVEF is influenced by loading conditions. It is also incapable of differentiate between physiological and pathological hypertrophy and not truly estimating chamber contractility. Failure of LVEF to accurately predict incident HF has simulated researches to search for other echocardiographic indices that can possess the potential to predict patient functional capacity and hence prognosis Our study was conducted on 30 patients (Group B) with chronic stable HF with (EF ≤40%) presenting to Ain Shams University hospital rehabilitation clinic with grade I to III. NYHA classification. Each patient performed a 6MWT and complete a forum of MLHFQ, offered an ECG gated echocardiographic study for assessment of systolic and diastolic functions of right & left ventricles.