Diagnosis of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD): development and validation of a clinical prediction rule in primary care

Fahey, T., Jeyaseelan, S., Mccowan, C. , Carr, E., Goudie, B.M., Pringle, S.D., Donnan, P.T., Sullivan, F.M. and Struthers, A.D. (2007) Diagnosis of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD): development and validation of a clinical prediction rule in primary care. Family Practice, 24(6), pp. 628-35. (doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmm055)

Abstract

Background: Diagnosing suspected left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in the community is a challenge for GPs. We developed and validated a clinical prediction rule (CPR) for LVSD based on history, examination and electrocardiogram (ECG). Methods: Prospective cohort studies of 458 symptomatic patients (derivation cohort) and 535 patients (validation cohort) in 26 general practices in Tayside and Fife, Scotland. All patients underwent a structured clinical examination and ECG and the ‘reference standard’ investigation of echocardiography to establish the presence of LVSD. Results: Four elements from the clinical history and examination were all independently associated with LVSD—male sex [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.5; 95% CI 1.1, 5.0], presence of orthopnoea (OR 5.4; 1.9, 13.8) history of myocardial infarction (OR 5.6; 2.3, 13.6) and elevated jugular venous pulsations (OR 15.1; 4.6, 49.3). Addition of ECG (OR 20.6; 2.7, 158.6) provides important diagnostic information in terms of probability of LVSD. A CPR based on the presence or absence of these five elements will generate probabilities ranging from 1% to 97% for LVSD when applied to an individual patient. In the validation cohort, the model under-predicted the probability of LVSD, particularly at lower levels of expected risk, reflecting differences in the risk-factor profiles of the derivation and validation cohorts. Conclusions: The derived CPR provides quantitative estimates of post-test probability for LVSD. This rule requires further validation in other populations and settings because of the difficulties encountered in the validation cohort.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mccowan, Professor Colin
• Authors: Fahey, T., Jeyaseelan, S., Mccowan, C., Carr, E., Goudie, B.M., Pringle, S.D., Donnan, P.T., Sullivan, F.M., and Struthers, A.D.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
• Journal Name: Family Practice
• ISSN: 0263-2136
• Published Online: 07 September 2007