A New Objective Diagnostic Method for Chronic Heart Failure

Author(s): Rosalba Vanni

Algebraic equations from a mathematical model to experimental data related to venous and arterial blood (HCO₃ ^-, PCO₂ ), exhaled VCO₂ and cardiac output (Qt) of a group of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) belonging to the New York Heart Association class III were applied. The aim of this study was to verify whether the above measurable physiological parameters used to calculate pulmonary blood flow in pulmonary microcirculation (Qp) were significantly different among three different groups and to verify whether the algebraic equations used were useful for objectively diagnosing patients with CHF.

The comparison among the results of the three groups was extremely significant, so much to unquestionably highlight the class III CHF group compared with the other two groups and therefore allowing the CHF group to be objectively characterized both at rest and during exercise.

In particular, at rest: Group I: young and healthy subjects, aged 26.3 ± 4.6 years, Qp = 4.15 L/min; Group II: non-CHF normal controls, aged 62.3 ± 10.3 years, Qp = 4.595 L/min; Group III: CHF patients, who had New York Heart Association functional class III failure, aged 62.4 ± 8.3 years, Qp = 5.51 L/min.

During exercise: Group I, during exhaustive exercise at 340 W, Qp = 23.22 L/min; Group II, during submaximal exercise at 50 W, Qp = 15.372 L/ min; Group III, during exhaustive exercise at 50 W, Qp = 8.45 L/min. This new diagnostic method performed a first objective pathophysiological characterization of CHF class III patients, laying the foundation for an objective classification of the four classes of CHF patients and subsequent precision medicine.