title: Clinical monitoring of stage B heart failure: echocardiography.
abstract: Estimates of the prevalence of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) vary widely depending on the study sample and definition of LVSD. Subtle reductions in LV systolic or diastolic function are now detectable with newer echocardiographic measures, which can influence estimates of the burden of stage B heart failure (HF). If the definition is broadened to include diastolic filling abnormalities, the estimated prevalence of stage B HF increases dramatically. This article reviews the rationale for echocardiographic screening for stage B HF, describes currently available measures of cardiac structure and function, and assesses the potential role of echocardiography in selected subgroups.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Loyola University Health System, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60514, USA.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Coglianese
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology