4. Electrocardiogram (ECG) To asses cardiac rhythm To determine
the presence of LV hypertrophy Old or recent MI To ascertain
whether the patient may benefit from resynchronization therapy
Presence or absence of Q waves QRS width 22/3/20144
5. Chest X-ray 22/3/20145 Cardiac size & shape State of
pulmonary vasculature Identify noncardiac causes of the patients
symptoms
6. Assessment of LV function 22/3/20146 2D
echocardiogram/Doppler Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
7. 2D echocardiogram/Doppler 22/3/20147 Provide a
semiquantitative assessment of LV size & function
Presence/absence of valvular and/or regional wall motion
abnormalities Assess RV size & pulmonary pressures evaluating
and management of cor pulmonale The presence of left atrial
dilatation and LV hypertrophy + abnormalities of LV diastolic
filling provided by pulse-wave and tissue Doppler useful for the
assessment of HF with a preserved EF.
8. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 22/3/20148 Analysis of
cardiac anatomy and function Gold standard for assessing LV mass
and volumes Determining the cause of HF
9. 22/3/20149 EF - most useful index of LV function EF - easy
to measure by noninvasive testing EF - normal (>50%) adequate
systole function EF - depressed (