Table 1.
Clinical group | Characterization |
---|---|
Stage A Chronic indeterminate Form |
Asymptomatic, no significant alteration on physical examination, ECG, chest X-ray, esophagogram, and barium enema. No change on evaluation by sensitive techniques (echocardiogram, exercise testing, Holter) |
Stage B | Patients with structural heart disease who have never had signs or symptoms of HF |
B1 | Patients with ECG changes (arrhythmias or conduction disorders) may present mild echocardiographic abnormalities (abnormalities of regional contractility), but global ventricular function is normal |
B2 | Patients with global ventricular dysfunction (decreased LV ejection fraction) |
Stage C | Patients with LV dysfunction and prior or current symptoms of HF (NYHA I, II, III, and IV) |
Stage D | Patients with symptoms of HF at rest, refractory to maximized medical therapy (NYHA IV) requiring specialized and intensive interventions |