Systolic function as a predictor of mortality and quality of life in long-term survivors with heart failure.

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) and preserved ejection fraction (EF) have been shown to have high mortality rates, comparable to those with reduced EF. Thus, long-term survivors of HF, regardless of ejection fraction, are a select group. Little is known about disease-related quality of life (QOL) and health status in these patients.

Hypothesis: Preserved EF in patients with heart failure independently predicts long-term survival, health related quality of life (QOL), or functional status.

Methods: The study followed a cohort of 413 patients consecutively hospitalized for HF between March 1996 and September 1998. In July 2005, information was collected about their mortality, health related QOL as defined by disease-specific Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores, and functional decline as defined by limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores.

Results: The primary outcomes were mortality, QOL, and functional decline. At follow-up, 8.1 years after enrollment, overall mortality was 76% (314/413). Adjusted for age, gender, renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, HF, and respiratory disease, those with decreased ejection fraction (EF < 40%) had higher mortality compared with those with preserved ejection fraction (hazard ratio [HR] 1.42; confidence interval [CI] = 1.13, 1.80, p = 0.003). The KCCQ scores, including Clinical Summary Scores and Symptom Limitation Scores, as well as ADL limitations, were not significantly different in the survivors with preserved or decreased EF.

Conclusions: Heart failure patients with preserved EF have a modest survival advantage compared with those with decreased EF, but health related QOL scores and functional decline in survivors are similar regardless of systolic function.