부산대학교 도서관

Background: A clinical diagnosis of heart failure (HF) is associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), but only HF with severely reduced LV ejection fraction (HFrEF, EF ≤35%) is utilized for risk stratification. Guideline-directed medical therapy and heart disease processes may improve or reduce the LVEF.Hypothesis: There is significant variation of LVEF over time among HF patients with SCD.Methods: From a large, prospective population-based study of SCD in the Northwest US (catchment population 1 million, 2002-2018), we identified all consecutive patients with a diagnosis of HF and prior assessment of LVEF. The sub-group of patients with at least 2 prior LVEF evaluations (earliest and latest in relation to SCD) was determined.Results: A total of 1622 individuals suffered SCD with a known diagnosis of HF (65% male, age 72±14) of which 434 had 2 LVEF evaluations at least 1 yr apart prior to their SCD. At earliest evaluation, 100 (23%) had HFrEF (73% male, age 67±13), 88 (20%) had HF with moderately reduced EF (HFmrEF, 35