Long-term prognosis of patients with congestive heart failure

Factors determining prognosis in 100 patients with recent onset of congestive heart failure (CHF) were evaluated. The 1 year, 3 year, 5 year, and 10 year survival rates in the entire CHF group were 78.5%, 59.8%, 50.4% and 14.7%, respectively. No correlations between age, sex, heart rate and cardiothoracic ratio, and the cumulative survival rate were found. The prognosis of patients with CHF due to underlying coronary artery disease or primary cardiomyopathy was poor compared with that of patients with other types of heart disease. Patients whose NYHA classification was class III or VI had a significantly lower survival rate than those in class II. Patients with lower left ventricular stroke work and consecutive ventricular premature depolarization also had a significantly lower survival rate. These results suggest that functional status, underlying heart disease, left ventricular stroke work, and the presence of ventricular tachycardia provide important information regarding the long-term prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure.