ldwide, 2 million new cases annually1Р – United States, 500,000 new cases annually2Р• Heart failure affects 5.7 million people in the Р United States, accounting for approximately 1 Р million admissions and 1 in 9 deaths annually3. Р HF afflicts 10 out of every 1,000 over age 65 in Р the U.S.2Р1 World Health Statistics, World anization, 1995.Р2 American Heart Association, 2002 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update.Р3 Circulation. 2010;122(19):1975-1996РLeft Ventricular DysfunctionР • Systolic: Impaired contractility/ejectionР – Approximately two-thirds of heart failure Р patients have systolic dysfunction1Р • Diastolic: Impaired filling/relaxationР 30%Р (EF > 40 %)Р (EF < 40%)Р 70%Р Diastolic DysfunctionР Systolic DysfunctionР1 Lilly, L. Pathophysiology of Heart Disease. Second Edition p 200