Comparison of frequencies of left ventricular systolic and diastolic heartfailure in Chinese living in Hong Kong

There is a wide variation (13% to 74%) in the reported prevalence of heart failure associated with normal left ventricular (IV) systolic function (dia stolic heart failure). There is no published information on this condition in China. To ascertain the prevalence of diastolic heart failure in this co mmunity, 200 consecutive patients with the typical features of congestive h eart failure were studied with standard 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiogra phy. A LV ejection fraction (LVEF) >45% was considered normal. The results showed that 12.5% had significant valvular heart disease. Of the remaining 175 patients, 132 had a LVEF >45% (75%). Therefore, 66% of patients with a clinical diagnosis of heart failure had a normal LVEF, Heart failure with n ormal LV systolic function was more common than systolic heart failure in t hose >70 years old (65% vs 47%; p = 0.015) Most (57%) had an abnormal relax ation pattern in diastole and 14% had a restrictive filling pattern. In the systolic heart failure group, a restrictive filling pattern was more commo n (46%). There were no significant differences in the sex distribution, eti ology, or prevalence of LV hypertrophy between these 2 heart failure groups . In conclusion, heart failure with a normal LVEF or diastolic heart failur e is more common than systolic heart failure in Chinese patients with the s ymptoms of heart failure. This may be related to older age at presentation and the high prevalence of hypertension in this community. (C) 1999 by Exce rpta Medica, Inc.