Study of Correlation between Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction with Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients of Chronic Heart Failure with Diabetes, using Two-dimensional Echocardiography

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most significant health issues. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are more susceptible to an elevated cardiovascular risk, including heart failure. Echocardiography should help in the early identification of these myocardial abnormalities that would help properly treat these individuals. The study was conducted over 18 months and focused on patients with diabetes and chronic heart failure who met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ethical approval was obtained, and all patients provided their consent to participate in the study. The participants underwent a two-dimensional echocardiogram to assess their heart function, and relevant laboratory tests, imaging results, and information about medications received during their hospitalization were recorded. As per The New British Society of Echocardiography criteria, 64 patients had impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and 31 had severely impaired LVEF. The majority of the patients with impaired LVEF, 53%, also had impaired right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF). Of 31 patients with severely impaired LVEF, 58% also had severely impaired RVEF. The association between LVEF and RVEF is statistically significant (P < 0.05). There is a positive correlation between LVEF (%) and RVEF (%), which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Severe dysfunction in LVEF is also present in patients with severe dysfunction of RVEF. The majority of patients who had reduced LVEF also had reduced RVEF, and this association was significant. While there was a correlation between glycosylated hemoglobin levels and both LVEF and RVEF, it was not statistically significant. Hence, patients who are identified to have lower LVEF should also be evaluated for RVEF.