The American journal of cardiology
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Heart failure (HF) has been classified as systolic and diastolic based on the left ventricular ejection fraction. We hypothesized that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is an important element of HF regardless of ejection fraction. Two hundred six patients who had clinical HF were compared with 72 age-matched controls. ⋯ Diastolic dysfunction is a better predictor of B-type natriuretic peptide levels and mortality than ejection fraction or left ventricular EDVI. In addition to diastolic dysfunction, HF with an ejection fraction >/=0.50 is associated with mild systolic dysfunction and an increased ratio of left ventricular mass to EDVI. In HF with an ejection fraction