LEFT-VENTRICULAR ATRIOVENTRICULAR PLANE DISPLACEMENT - AN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE FOR RAPID ASSESSMENT OF PROGNOSIS IN HEART-FAILURE

Objective-To assess the prognostic value of atrioventricular plane dis placement in heart failure patients. Design-Patients were followed pro spectively for one year after atrioventricular plane displacement dete rmination. Setting-Malmo University Hospital, with a primary catchment area of 250 000 inhabitants. Patients-181 patients with a clinical di agnosis of heart failure; age 75.7 (SD 5.2) years, duration of heart f ailure 2.7 (5.7) years; 100 men, 81 women. Main outcome measures-Morta lity in relation to atrioventricular plane displacement. Results-Total mortality was 22.7% (41/181), and was highly significantly (P = 0.001 ) related to atrioventricular plane displacement. Mortality within pro spectively defined categories of displacement was: greater than or equ al to 10.0 mm, 0% (0/19); 8.2 to 9.9 mm, 10.3% (3/29); 6.4 to 8.1 mm, 19.4% (12/62); and < 6.4 mm, 36.6% (26/71). The groups were similar in age, sex, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and beta blocker tr eatment, and cause and duration of heart failure. Conclusions-Mortalit y in heart failure is strongly related to atrioventricular plane displ acement.