Right ventricular dysfunction predicts poor outcome only when associated with elevated pulmonary pressures

In a group of 377 patients with heart failure followed for 17 months, survival rate without urgent heart transplantation is reduced only in group 4 patients who had a reduced right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) associated with elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). The survival in those with either low RVEF or high PAP was the same as those without either abnormality.