Initial heart rate and systolic blood pressure predict outcomes in chronic heart failure patients who are evaluated for cardiac transplant.

Background: Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) are currently not considered among common clinical indicators of prognosis in patients referred for heart transplant (Htx). We sought to determine whether an initial hemodynamic profile of HR and SBP could be used to predict outcomes in chronic heart failure patients evaluated for Htx.

Methods: We analyzed the medical records of patients evaluated for Htx and obtained demographic and clinical data collected at the initial transplant clinic visit or inpatient encounter.