title: Reduced Right Ventricular Function Predicts Long-Term Cardiac Re-Hospitalization after Cardiac Surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The significance of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), independent of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve procedures remains unknown. The aim of this study is to examine the significance of abnormal RVEF by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), independent of LVEF in predicting outcomes of patients undergoing isolated CABG and valve surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2007 to 2009, 109 consecutive patients (mean age, 66 years; 38% female) were referred for pre-operative CMR. Abnormal RVEF and LVEF were considered <35% and <45%, respectively. Elective primary procedures include CABG (56%) and valve (44%). Thirty-day outcomes were perioperative complications, length of stay, cardiac re-hospitalizations and early mortaility; long-term (> 30 days) outcomes included, cardiac re-hospitalization, worsening congestive heart failure and mortality. Mean clinical follow up was 14 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-eight patients had reduced RVEF (mean 25%) and 61 patients had normal RVEF (mean 50%) (p<0.001). Fifty-four patients had reduced LVEF (mean 30%) and 55 patients had normal LVEF (mean 59%) (p<0.001). Patients with reduced RVEF had a higher incidence of long-term cardiac re-hospitalization vs. patients with normal RVEF (31% vs.13%, p<0.05). Abnormal RVEF was a predictor for long-term cardiac re-hospitalization (HR 3.01 [CI 1.5-7.9], p<0.03). Reduced LVEF did not influence long-term cardiac re-hospitalization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abnormal RVEF is a stronger predictor for long-term cardiac re-hospitalization than abnormal LVEF in patients undergoing isolated CABG and valve procedures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: Leela K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Lella
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: Virna L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Sales
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: Yulia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iskandir
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: Iosif
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gulkarov
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tortolani
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: Sorin J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Brener
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: Terrence J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Sacchi
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States of America.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Heitner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*