Is the E/V p index useful for evaluating prognosis in chronic heart failure with atrial fibrillation? A pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The ratio of transmitral peak E wave velocity to color flow propagation velocity (E/V p index) has proved to be a significant predictor of prognosis in cardiac diseases with sinus rhythm. However, its usefulness in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure has not yet been established. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using the E/V p index for the prediction of mortality and heart failure hospitalization in this group.


METHODS
We studied 66 ambulatory patients with stable congestive heart failure (CHF) functional class I-III and AF. Patients were divided into group A and B according to an E/V p index <1.5 and ≥1.5, respectively.


RESULTS
During follow-up (average 430 days) events were more common in group B (75 vs. 17%, log rank test; hazard ratio (HR)  = 6.8). By means of multivariate logistic regression analysis, E/V p proved to be an independent predictor of events (p = 0.0012).


CONCLUSIONS
In our patients with stable CHF and AF the E/V p index is a significant predictor of clinical outcome.
Cardiology Department, Hospital Ramón Santamarina, La Plata University, Tandil, Argentina. alejandrounicen@gmail.com.
Alejandro A
AA
Diaz
Biostatistics Area, Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Tandil, Argentina.
Edgardo M
EM
Rodríguez
Postgraduate Department, Medical Sciences, La Plata University, La Plata, Argentina.
Eduardo
E
Escudero
Atrial fibrillation; Echocardiography; Heart failure; Prognosis