Effect of left ventricular geometric remodeling on restrictive filling pattern and survival in ischemic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of Left ventricular remodeling patterns in patients with left ventricular restrictive filling pattern (RFP; E/A>2) in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) on prognosis. METHODS: Patient data was retrospectively analyzed over a period of 4.5 years to determine the effect of LV geometry by Echocardiographic parameterson survival and re-admission for heart failure. All patients with previous history of transmural myocardial infarction were studied and all were on guideline directed medical therapy. None underwent device therapy or surgery. The stored 2D Echocardiograms were studied. Left ventricular dimensions were noted, including the relative wall thickness (RWT). The patients were grouped based on RWT<0.34 and ≥ 0.34 and were compared for clinical outcomes of mortality and re-admissions for heart failure, over a period of 54 months. RESULTS: There were 102 ICM patients who had baseline RFP. We identified two sub-groups based on geometric phenotypes of left ventricular eccentric remodeling and dilated remodeling based on the relative wall thickness (RWT >0.34 or <0.34). The patients with preserved RWT had significantly more dilated ventricles (LVIDd and LVIDs), greater pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASP), greater diatolic dysfunction (E/A) and less left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF); p < 0.001. The number of deaths was higher in the reduced RWT patients, as were the number of re-admissions, although the time to survival and time to re-admission was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study on ICM patients in advanced heart failure with baseline RFP, the presence of preserved RWT indicative of eccentric remodelling demonstrated a better clinical outcome.