PHYSICIAN MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH HEART-FAILURE AND NORMAL VERSUSDECREASED LEFT-VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC FUNCTION

A questionnaire was administered to a random sample of family practiti oners, internists, cardiologists, and geriatricians to examine the cur rent management of heart failure patients with preserved versus reduce d left ventricular systolic function. In patients with preserved systo lic function, electrocardiogram at rest, chest x-ray, echocardiography , digitalis, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and restriction of dietary sodium and physical activity are used less often, whereas calcium channel blockers and beta blockers are given more often than t o patients with reduced systolic function.