Simple tests help identify systolic dysfunction in primary care

Electrocardiography combined with measurement of heart rate, blood pressure, and N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide could identify patients at risk of left ventricular systolic function in general practice. Many people in the community with systolic dysfunction are undetected and deprived of a medical treatment that may improve their prognosis. Identification of such patients in primary care is hindered by limited access to echocardiography. On p 220 Wendelboe Nielsen et al propose a simple procedure to determine which patients with past or present signs or symptoms of heart disease should be referred for echocardiography. Candidates for echocardiography were identified by an abnormal electrocardiogram in combination with raised atrial natriuretic peptide or tachycardia, or both.

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Relevant Article

Risk assessment of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in primary care: cross sectional study evaluating a range of diagnostic tests

Olav Wendelboe Nielsen, Jørgen Fischer Hansen, Jørgen Hilden, Carsten Toftager Larsen, and Jens Svanegaard
BMJ 2000 320: 220-224. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]