The prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) among individuals at risk for heart failure (HF) and the feasibility of screening have not been clearly defined. This study determined the prevalence of LVSD with the use of a limited screening echocardiogram among patients with risk factors for HF but no prior HF.
Department of Medicine and the Division of General Internal Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill 60611, USA. dwbaker@northwestern.edu