Echocardiography predicts adverse cardiac remodelling in heart failure

Congestive heart failure remains a primary cause of cardiovascular-related events. Heart failure patients face two health care challenges. First, they are uncertain about their prognosis and second, they have an unpredictable clinical course with recurrent exacerbations of heart failure. The echocardiogram is an easily accessible bedside test without any associated procedural complications. Additionally, it provides a wealth of information about chamber size and function, valve integrity and the pericardial sac. In the present review, the most common echocardiographic predictors of impending cardiac events in congestive heart failure are described.