Prognostic value of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography compared to two-dimensional echocardiography in patients with systolic heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is associated with morbidity and mortality. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) may offer additional prognostic data in patients with HF. The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). This is a prospective study that included 89 patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 0.50 who were followed for 48 months. Left atrium and ventricular volumes and functions were evaluated by RT3DE. TDI and two-dimensional echocardiography parameters were also obtained. The endpoint was a composite of death, heart transplantation and hospitalization for acute decompensated HF. The mean age was 55 ± 11 years, and the LVEF was 0.32 ± 0.10. The composite endpoint occurred in 49 patients (18 deaths, 30 hospitalizations, one heart transplant). Patients with outcomes had greater left atrial volume (40 ± 16 vs. 32 ± 12 mL/m²; p < 0.01) and right ventricle diameter (41 ± 9 vs. 37 ± 8 mm, p = 0.01), worse total emptying fraction of the left atrium (36 ± 13% vs. 41 ± 11%; p = 0.03), LVEF (0.30 ± 0.09 vs. 0.34 ± 0.11; p = 0.02), right ventricle fractional area change (34.8 ± 12.1% vs. 39.2 ± 11.3%; p = 0.04), and greater E/e′ ratio (19 ± 9 vs. 16 ± 8; p = 0.04) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) (50 ± 15 vs. 36 ± 11 mmHg; p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, LVEF (OR 4.6; CI 95% 1.2–17.6; p < 0.01) and SPAP (OR 12.5; CI 95% 1.8–86.9; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of patient outcomes. LVEF and the SPAP were independent predictors of outcomes in patients with HF.