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

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