title: Impact of progression of diastolic dysfunction on mortality in patients with normal ejection fraction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction. There are limited data, however, on whether worsening of diastolic function is associated with worse prognosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We reviewed clinical records and echocardiograms of consecutive patients who had baseline echocardiograms between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2009, that showed left ventricular ejection fraction ≥55% and who subsequently had a follow-up echocardiogram within 6 to 24 months. Diastolic function was labeled as normal, mild, moderate, or severe dysfunction. All-cause mortality was determined by use of the Social Security Death Index. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis with a proportional hazard model were performed to assess outcomes. A total of 1065 outpatients were identified (mean±SD age, 67.9±13.9 years; 58% male). Baseline diastolic dysfunction was present in 770 patients (72.3%), with mild being the most prevalent. On follow-up testing (mean±SD, 1.1±0.4 years), 783 patients (73%) had stable, 168 (16%) had worsening, and 114 (11%) had improved baseline diastolic function. Eighty-eight patients (8.3%) had a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction to <55% and were more likely to have advanced diastolic dysfunction (P=0.002). After a mean±SD follow-up (from the second study) of 1.6±0.8 years, 142 patients (13%) died. On multivariate analysis, a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction to <55% and any worsening of diastolic function were independently associated with increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.85; P=0.02; and hazard ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-2.59; P=0.003, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with normal baseline left ventricular ejection fraction, worsening of diastolic function is an independent predictor of mortality.
authors.affiliation: Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute, Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, 9500 Euclid Ave/J1-5, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. aljarow@ccf.org
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aljaroudi
authors.forename: M Chadi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Alraies
authors.forename: Carmel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Halley
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Grimm
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Wael A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Jaber
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D054144:Heart Failure, Diastolic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D013318:Stroke Volume; D014463:Ultrasonography