Left ventricular remodelling and prognosis after discharge in new-onset acute heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the left ventricular (LV) remodelling and long-term prognosis of patients with new-onset acute heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction who were pharmacologically managed and survived until hospital discharge. We compared patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic aetiology.

METHODS AND RESULTS: This cohort study consisted of 111 patients admitted with new-onset acute HF in the period 2008-2016 [62% non-ischaemic aetiology, 48% supported by inotropes, vasopressors, or short-term mechanical circulatory devices, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at discharge 28% (interquartile range 22-34)]. LV dimensions, LVEF, and mitral valve regurgitation were used as markers for LV remodelling during up to 3 years of follow-up. Both patients with non-ischaemic and ischaemic HF had significant improvement in LVEF (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively) with significant higher improvement in those with non-ischaemic HF (17% vs. 6%, P < 0.001). Patients with non-ischaemic HF had reduction in LV end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters (6 and 10 mm, both P < 0.001), but this was not found in those with ischaemic HF [+3 mm (P = 0.09) and +2 mm (P = 0.07), respectively]. During a median follow-up of 4.6 years, 98 patients (88%) did not reach the composite endpoint of LV assist device implantation, heart transplantation, or all-cause mortality, with no difference between with ischaemic and non-ischaemic HF [hazard ratio 0.69 (95% confidence interval 0.19-2.45)].

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with new-onset acute HF with reduced ejection fraction discharged on optimal medical treatment have a good prognosis. We observed a considerable LV remodelling with improvement in LV function and dimensions, starting already at 6 months in patients with non-ischaemic HF but not in their ischaemic counterparts.