Detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction using a newly developed, laptop based, impedance cardiographic index.

摘要

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]. The development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is a marker of poor prognosis. Mild reduction in EF progresses with time and when EF gets to <40%, most patients develop CHF and their prognosis is dismal [2,3]. Simple, cheap techniques that will reliably detect mild reduction of the EF, typical for ALVSD, will thus be of enormous value to reduce the occurrence of CHF and cardiac mortality [3-7]. Impedance Cardiography (ICG) is a noninvasive method of determining hemodynamic status and reliable estimates of myocar-dial contractility (and EF) can be obtained using indices based on systolic time intervals [8-10]. We have recently developed an index-Granov Goor Index (GGI)-that combines time interval and impedance parameters in order to identify subjects with LVSD. The GGI is obtained from a regional ICG signal-measured using wrist and ankle electrodes [10-13].