Prognosis and Predictor of Heart Failure with Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Hospital Based Study

Background: The importance of preserved left ventricular systolic function in patients with heart failure (preserved HF) is becoming increasingly evident. We evaluated the epidemiological features and outcomes of patients with preserved HF in Japan. Methods: Between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2002, we analyzed the survival of 2,808 patients with heart failure who were admitted to 15 hospitals and separated into groups with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (systolic HF) or preserved HF. The main outcome measures were all-cause death, cardiac death and readmission to hospital for heart failure. Results: Patients with preserved HF accounted for 18.4% of the total and tended to be older, female, and have a history of hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Although the adjusted mortality rates did not significantly differ between the groups, rates of cardiac death and readmission for heart failure and in-hospital complications were lower among patients with preserved HF. Conclusions: Patients with preserved HF had fewer cardiac events than those with systolic HF and the predictors of death among patients with preserved HF included age, a history of heart failure, renal insufficiency and anemia