The Utility of Microvascular Perfusion Assessment in Heart Failure: A Pilot Study

Outpatient heart failure patients who later develop adverse outcomes have significantly lower StO2 values than those who remain stable. This suggests cardiac performance in stable heart failure patients may be better reflected at the microvascular level using measures such as StO2 as opposed to a global level using the physical exam or impedance cardiography. StO2 may serve as a predictor for future adverse events and as an adjunct to current evaluation techniques.