Elevated pulmonary-artery (PA) pressures in heart-failure patients in the community are common and independently predict outcomes, suggests a prospective study [1]. In an analysis of more than 1000 patients, PA systolic pressure "was a strong and independent predictor of all-cause death and CV death independently of other known predictors, including diastolic-function measures and [brain-type natriuretic protein] BNP," according to the authors, led by Dr Francesca Bursi (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN).

Theheart.org, by Steve Stiles, 1/18/2012

Tags: Cardiology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Research