Comparison of classifications for heart failure in children undergoing valvular surgery.

Objectives To characterize correlations between clinical classifications of heart failure and diagnostic workup. Study design Pre- and postoperative characteristics of 20 children with heart failure secondary to valvular rheumatic disease were studied. Results Both scoring systems correlated with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (N-proBNP) but not with troponin I (TnI). The PHFI correlated with N-proBNP, end-systolic wall stress, left ventricular mass index and left atrium to aorta diameter ratio. No correlation could be established between modified Ross score, or the New York Heart Association (NYRA) grade and echocardiographic measurements. Cardiothoracic and Sokolow indexes were correlated with the PHFI as wen as to the NYHA classification. Conclusion In this study, PHFI seems better correlated with radiologic, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and biologic assessment of heart failure in children. Clinical severity was correlated with N-proBNP but not with TnI.