Impact of left ventricular function on health-related quality of life in coronary artery disease patients

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate the relation between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function parameters in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with mild and moderate heart failure.Materials and methodsThis study included 758 CAD patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and ratio of peak velocities of early (E) and late (A) diastolic mitral inflow, ratio E/A, deceleration time, isovolumic relaxation time were assessed. Patients completed the SF-36 questionnaire.ResultsThere were no strong and significant associations between echocardiographic measures and HRQoL in NYHA I-II class patients. In NYHA III class in univariate linear regression analyses significant associations were found between LVEF and physical functioning (β = 0.230, P = 0.009) and role limitations due to physical problems (β = 0.230, P = 0.009) and these associations remain significant after adjustment for age, gender, hypertension, angina pectoris class, nitrate, ACE inhibitors and diuretics use. E/A ratio was significantly associated only with mental health domain (β = 0.188, P = 0.048), and this association remains significant after all adjustments.ConclusionsIn stable CAD patients with NYHA I-II functional class HRQoL was not strongly associated with left ventricular function; in NYHA III functional class patients’ greater systolic function mainly was associated with better physical health and better diastolic function, with better mental health.