Abstract
BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Therefore, identifying high-risk patients may optimize treatment for HF patients and reduce adverse events. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the CHA(2)DS(2-)VASc score to predict mortality in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: A total of 106 patients with reduced LVEF were enrolled in this study. All patients completed a one-year follow-up, and a CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score was calculated for each patient. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (19.8%) died during the 1-year follow-up. We found that baseline functional status, CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score, brain natriuretic peptide, blood urea and hemoglobin levels were associated with mortality. In the multivariate analysis, CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score and functional capacity were the only predictors of 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score appears to be feasible for risk stratification and mortality prediction in patients with reduced LVEF.