Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Abstract

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction accounts for up to 50% of hospitalized heart failure patients and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The pathophysiology is heterogeneous and not very well defined, which explains the lack of disease-specific therapies. The principles of treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are controlling volume with diuretics and diet, and controlling the comorbidities, mainly the hypertension. Further research is encouraged to ascertain the key components of the disease that will serve as targets for therapy.

Keywords::

• cardiomyopathy
• diastolic dysfunction
• HFpEF
• preserved ejection fraction

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• Heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) has a high prevalence and constitutes up to 50% of HF patients.

• The pathophysiology is complex and multifactorial.

• There is no proven disease-specific treatment.

• Control of volume and treatment of the comorbidities, especially hypertension, are the main recommendations for HFpEF therapy.

• Regular aerobic exercise improves exercise capacity and quality of life.

• There are promising novel therapies that require further investigation.

• HFpEF is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Notes