Change in ejection fraction and long-term mortality in adults referred for echocardiography

Strange, G., Playford, D., Scalia, G. M., Celermajer, D. S., Prior, D., Codde, J., Chan, Y.‐K., Bulsara, M. K. and Stewart, S. (2021) Change in ejection fraction and long-term mortality in adults referred for echocardiography. European Journal of Heart Failure, 23(4), pp. 555-563. (doi: 10.1002/ejhf.2161) (PMID:33768605)

Abstract

Aims: We investigated long-term mortality associated with changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in a large, real-world patient cohort. Methods and results: A total of 117 275 adults (63 ± 16 years, 46% women) had LVEF quantified by the same method ≥6 months apart. This included 17 343 cases (66 ± 15 years, 48% women) being initially investigated for heart failure (HF). During 3.3 [interquartile range (IQR) 1.7–6.0] years from first to last echocardiogram, median change in LVEF was −1 (IQR −8 to +5) units from a baseline of 62% (IQR 54–69%). During subsequent 7.6 (IQR 4.3–10.1) years of follow-up, 11 397 (9.7%) and 34 101 (29.1%) cases died from cardiovascular disease and all causes, respectively. Actual 5-year, all-cause mortality increased from 12% to 29% among those with the smallest to the largest decrease in LVEF (from <5 units to >30 units); the adjusted risk of cardiovascular-related mortality increased two- to eightfold beyond a >10-unit decline in LVEF (vs. minimal change; P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Among those initially investigated for HF (32% with initial LVEF <50%), the adjusted hazard ratio for cardiovascular-related mortality ranged from 0.35 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28–0.49] to 4.21 (95% CI 3.30–5.22) for a >30-unit increase to >30-unit decline in LVEF (vs. minimal change; P < 0.001 for both comparisons). A distinctive, bi-directional plateau of improved vs. worsening mortality was evident around a final LVEF of 50% to 55%. Conclusions: These data, derived from a large, heterogeneous cohort of adults being followed up with echocardiography, suggest that modest LVEF changes (particularly around an LVEF of 50–55%) may be of clinical significance.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was partially supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. S.S. is supported by the NHMRC of Australia (GNT1135894).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stewart, Professor Simon
• Authors: Strange, G., Playford, D., Scalia, G. M., Celermajer, D. S., Prior, D., Codde, J., Chan, Y.‐K., Bulsara, M. K., and Stewart, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: European Journal of Heart Failure
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1388-9842
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0844
• Published Online: 25 March 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in European Journal of Heart Failure 23(4): 555-563
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License