Epidemiology and screening of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction

The traditional approach to estimating heart failure prevalence has been based on signs and symptoms of heart failure; such prevalence estimates have been in the range of 2% of persons ≤ 75 years of age. Newer approaches have focused on objective (echocardiographic) evaluation of systolic and diastolic function as well as on signs and symptoms. It is estimated that 4-5% of the population has depressed systolic function and approximately 5% has moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction. Since over half of these persons are asymptomatic, efforts are underway to determine whether simple techniques, such as measurement of plasma brain natriuretic peptide, will aid in early diagnosis of ventricular dysfunction.