Volume 15, Number 3, May-June 2008

Patient-focused outcomes following open-access echocardiography for suspected chronic heart failure
Stephen J Leslie, Victoria M Snowball, Andrea Ness, Janet Reid, Martin A Denvir

In a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of 111 consecutive patients with suspected left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) referred for open access echocardiography, patient’s views at one-year follow-up in terms of satisfaction with the service, ongoing symptoms and personal health beliefs were assessed. Eighty-five (76%) patients completed a one-year follow-up questionnaire. LVSD was identified in only 18 (16%) patients. While 93% of all patients found the echocardiogram useful, 27% of patients could not recall being informed of the result. Many patients remained undiagnosed and symptomatic at one year. The detection rate for LVSD by open access echocardiography remains low despite the use of a structured referral letter and screening electrocardiogram and chest X-ray.

Br J Cardiol 2008;15:156-7.

View full PDF article (open in new window)
Email this article