Diagnosis Of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Research Articles

Exercise-induced B-lines for the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a two-centre study.

Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains challenging despite the use of scores/algorithms. This study intended to assess the diagnostic value of exercise lung ultrasound (LUS) for HFpEF diagnosis. We studied two independent case-control studies of HFpEF patients and control subjects undergoing different exercise protocols: (i) submaximal exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) with LUS performed by expert cardiologists (N = 116, HFpEF = 65.5%), and (ii) maximal cycle ergometer test (CET) (N = 54, HFpEF = 50%) with LUS performed by unexperienced physicians shortly trained for the study. B-line kinetics (i.e. peak values and their changes from rest) were assessed. In the ESE cohort, the C-index (95% CI) of peak B-lines for HFpEF diagnosis was 0.985 (0.968-1.000), whereas the C-index of rest and exercise HFA-PEFF scores (i.e. including stress echo findings) were < 0.90 (CI 0.823-0.949), and that of H2FPEF score was < 0.70 (CI 0.558-0.764). The C-index increase of peak B-lines on top of the above-mentioned scores was significant (C-index increase > 0.090 and P-value < 0.001 for all). Similar results were observed for change B-lines. Peak B-lines > 5 (sensitivity = 93.4%, specificity = 97.5%) and change B-lines > 3 (sensitivity = 94.7%, specificity = 87.5%) were the best cutoffs for HFpEF diagnosis. Adding peak or change B-lines on top of HFpEF scores and BNP significantly improved diagnostic accuracy. Peak B-lines showed a good diagnostic accuracy in the LUS beginner-led CET cohort (C-index = 0.713, 0.588-0.838). Exercise LUS showed excellent diagnostic value for HFpEF diagnosis regardless of different exercise protocols/level of expertise, with additive diagnostic accuracy on top of available scores and natriuretic peptides.

Combination of SVI/S' and diagnostic scores for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

The diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains a challenge. There are three methods proposed as diagnostic tools. H2 FPEF score was determined by six weighted clinical characteristics and echocardiographic variables. Heart Failure Association (HFA)-PEFF algorithm consists of various functional and morphological variables as well as natriuretic peptides. SVI/S' is a novel echocardiographic parameter calculated by stroke volume index and mitral annulus systolic peak velocity. This study aimed to compare the three approaches in patients with suspected HFpEF. Patients referred to right heart catheterization for suspected HFpEF were classified into low-, intermediate- and high-likelihood groups according to H2 FPEF or HFA-PEFF scores. A diagnosis of HFpEF was confirmed by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) of ≥15 mm Hg according to the guidelines. In result, a total of 128 patients were included. Of these, 71 patients with PCWP ≥15 mm Hg and 57 patients with PCWP <15 mm Hg. Moderate correlations were observed between H2 FPEF score, HFA-PEFF score, SVI/S' and PCWP. The area under curve of SVI/S' was 0.82 for diagnosis of HFpEF, compared with 0.67 for H2 FPEF score and 0.75 for HFA-PEFF score by receiver-operating characteristics analysis. Combining SVI/S' with diagnostic scores showed higher Youden index and accuracy than each score alone. Kaplan-Meier analysis reported that the high-likelihood group showed poorer outcomes regardless the method used for diagnosis. Among the contemporary tools for identifying HFpEF in this study, the combination of SVI/S' with risk scores showed best diagnostic ability. Each of the strategies can determine rehospitalisation because of heart failure.

The HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm for diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in hypertensive patients

The main causes of chronic heart failure (CHF) are hypertension (HTN) and coronary heart disease (CHD). One of the diagnostic methods for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) can be the HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm, according to which diastolic stress test (DST) is indicated for patients with an intermediate probability of heart failure (HF). Objective. The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of HFpEF in patients with HTN with CHD and hypertensive patients without CHD by transthoracic echocardiogram using a DST according to the diagnostic algorithm HFA-PEFF. Design and methods. The study enrolled 45 patients with HTN and symptoms of HF who were divided into two groups according to the presence of CHD: patients with HTN and CHD (group I), patients with HTN without CHD (group II). The major and minor criteria of the HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm were evaluated to make the diagnosis of HFpEF. The DST was performed applying a passive leg raising test in patients with an intermediate probability of HFpEF. Results. According to the major and minor criteria of the HFA-PEFF: 7 (21,9 %) patients in group I and 3 (23,1 %) patients in group II did not have HFpEF. The confirmed HFpEF in group I was detected in 2 (6,2 %) patients, and none patients demonstrated confirmed HFpEF in group II. The remaining patients had an intermediate probability of HFpEF. DST with passive leg raising allowed to additionally diagnose HFpEF at an early stage in 6 (26,1 %) patients with HTN and CHD and in 1 (10 %) patient with HTN without CHD. Conclusions. The HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm using major and minor criteria allows to make the diagnosis of HFpEF in patients with HTN and symptoms of HF and, according to this algorithm in patients with HTN and CHD was detected more often, compared to patients with HTN without CHD.

Diagnostic value of reduced left atrial compliance during ergometry exercise in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains challenging in patients presenting with chronic dyspnoea. We sought to determine the diagnostic value of reduced left atrial (LA) compliance during exercise to diagnose HFpEF. Ergometry exercise stress echocardiography was performed in 225 patients with HFpEF and 262 non-heart failure controls (non-cardiac dyspnoea [NCD]) in Protocol 1, where the diagnosis of HFpEF was defined by the HFA-PEFF algorithm. In Protocol 2, the diagnosis of HFpEF was ascertained by exercise right heart catheterization in 67 participants (49 HFpEF and 18 NCD). Speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed at rest and during exercise to determine LA compliance (ratio of LA reservoir strain to E/e'). As compared with NCD, patients with HFpEF demonstrated decreased LA reservoir strain and compliance at rest, and these differences further increased during exercise in Protocol 1. Exercise LA compliance discriminated HFpEF from NCD (area under the curve 0.87, p < 0.0001), with a superior diagnostic ability to exercise E/e' ratio (DeLong p = 0.005). Exercise LA compliance demonstrated incremental diagnostic value over clinical factors (age, systemic hypertension, and atrial fibrillation) and resting LA compliance (χ2 212.4 vs. 166.2, p < 0.0001). These findings were confirmed in Protocol 2. Left atrial compliance during exercise demonstrated superior diagnostic ability to exercise E/e' ratio, with incremental diagnostic value over the resting LA compliance. Exercise LA compliance may enhance the diagnosis of HFpEF among patients with dyspnoea.

MiR-181c targets Parkin and SMAD7 in human cardiac fibroblasts: Validation of differential microRNA expression in patients with diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

BackgroundCardiac fibrosis represents a key element in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition highly prevalent amongst geriatric patients, especially if diabetic. The microRNA 181c (miR-181c) has been shown to be associated with the response to exercise training in HFpEF patients and has been also linked to diabetic cardiovascular complications. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. ObjectiveTo measure circulating miR-181c in elderly patients with HFpEF and diabetes mellitus (DM) and identify gene targets pathophysiologically relevant in HFpEF. MethodsWe quantified circulating miR-181c in frail older adults with a confirmed diagnosis of HFpEF and DM, and, as control, we enrolled age-matched subjects without HFpEF and without DM. We validated in human cardiac fibroblasts the molecular mechanisms linking miR-181c to a pro-fibrotic response. Results51 frail patients were included :34 patients with DM and HFpEF and 17 age-matched controls. We observed that miR-181c was significantly upregulated (p < 0.0001) in HFpEF patients vs controls. We confirmed in vitro that miR-181c is targeting PRKN and SMAD7. ConclusionsWe demonstrate that miR-181c levels are significantly increased in frail elderly adults with DM and HFpEF and that miR-181c targets PRKN and SMAD7 in human cardiac fibroblasts.

Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Current Status of Daily Clinical Practice in Indonesia.

Introduction Heart failure (HF)is a clinical syndrome with symptoms and/or signs caused by a structural and/or functional cardiac abnormality and corroborated by elevated natriuretic peptide levels and/or objective evidence of pulmonary or systemic congestion. Among HF types, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the commonest form. However, the diagnosis and management of HFpEF are challenging. In addition, the perception of healthcare professionals (HCPs) towards the diagnosis and management of HFpEF patients differs due to the existing gap between the guidelines and daily clinical practice. Therefore, an online survey was conducted to understand the HCPs' knowledge and practice gaps in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with HFpEF. Methods A total of 160 respondents, i.e., cardiologists, internists, and cardiology residents from different community-based practices and hospitals across Indonesia participated in an online continuing medical education (CME) survey. A questionnaire was formulated to assess awareness, current practice patterns, challenges, and confidence of the HCPs related to the HFpEF. Results HCPs stated that diagnosis of HF is the prime responsibility of cardiologists and general physicians but not of general internists. According to the HCPs, reduction in mortality, reduction in hospitalization, and improved quality of life are the most important goals of HF treatment. The perceived prevalence of HFpEFis estimated to be 30-60% and mortality rates of HFpEF and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are similar. Further, mixed types of responses with different combinations of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, were obtained when HCPs were asked about the challenges faced in HFpEF. Among the therapies, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), beta-blockers, and diuretics are frequently used for the treatment of HF. Conclusion The perception of the HCPs toward the diagnosis and management of HFpEF may affect optimal care. Based on ourfindings, the cardiologists are well aware of the current situation of HF in Indonesia and treat patients with HFpEF effectively.

Hypertensive response to exercise, hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)-acontinuum of disease?

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has been shown to be along-term consequence of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (aHT). Other than that, hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) precedes aHT. We aim to evaluate the available evidence for acontinuum of HRE, aHT and HFpEF. Aliterature search on PubMed was conducted to assembly the most recent data on the topic. After collecting the data, aqualitative analysis was instrumented. 10studies including 16,165 subjects were analyzed with respect to the association between HRE and the future risk of developing aHT. With the exception of one study, all reported on apositive association between HRE and the future development of aHT despite methodological issues related to different definitions for HRE. Furthermore, HRE was associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Moreover, we analysed 6studies including overall 1366 subjects investigating the association between HRE and HFpEF. In these studies, increased left atrial volume index (LAVI), elevatedE/e' (as surrogate parameters of increased LV end-diastolic filling pressure and of diastolic dysfunction) and higher LV mass index have been proposed as independent predictor of HRE in patients with no known HFpEF diagnosis. The literature search revealed suggestive data on aconnection of HRE, aHT and HFpEF. HRE seems to be an independent risk factor for aHT and aHT in turn is one of the main risk factors for HFpEF. However, further research is needed to improve our knowledge of apossible continuum of disease.

Mechanical dispersion is a superior echocardiographic feature to predict exercise capacity in preclinical and overt heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is a syndrome characterized by different degrees of exercise intolerance, which leads to poor quality of life and prognosis. Recently, the European score (HFA-PEFF) was proposed to standardize the diagnosis of HFpEF. Even though Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) is a component of HFA-PEFF, the role of other strain parameters, such as Mechanical Dispersion (MD), has yet to be studied. In this study, we aimed to compare MD and other features from the HFA-PEFF according to their association with exercise capacity in an outpatient population of subjects at risk or suspected HFpEF. This is a single-center cross-sectional study performed in an outpatient population of 144 subjects with a median age of 57 years, 58% females, referred to the Echocardiography and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test to investigate HFpEF. MD had a higher correlation to Peak VO2 (r=-0.43) when compared to GLS (r=-0.26), MD presented a significant correlation to Ventilatory Anaerobic Threshold (VAT) (r=-0.20; p = 0.04), while GLS showed no correlation (r=-0.14; p = 0.15). Neither MD nor GLS showed a correlation with the time to recover VO2 after exercise (T1/2). In Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis, MD presented superior performance to GLS to predict Peak VO2 (AUC: 0.77 vs. 0.62), VAT (AUC: 0.61 vs. 0.57), and T1/2 (AUC: 0.64 vs. 0.57). Adding MD to HFA-PEFF improved the model performance (AUC from 0.77 to 0.81). MD presented a higher association with Peak VO2 when compared to GLS and most features from the HFA-PEFF. Adding MD to the HFA-PEFF improved the model performance.

Diagnostic accuracy of cardiovascular magnetic resonance strain analysis and atrial size to identify heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) continues to be a diagnostic challenge. Cardiac magnetic resonance atrial measurement, feature tracking (CMR-FT), tagging has long been suggested to diagnose HFpEF and potentially complement echocardiography especially when echocardiography is indeterminate. Data supporting the use of CMR atrial measurements, CMR-FT or tagging, are absent. Our aim is to conduct a prospective case-control study assessing the diagnostic accuracy of CMR atrial volume/area, CMR-FT, and tagging to diagnose HFpEF amongst patients suspected of having HFpEF. One hundred and twenty-one suspected HFpEF patients were prospectively recruited from four centres. Patients underwent echocardiography, CMR, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements within 24 h to diagnose HFpEF. Patients without HFpEF diagnosis underwent catheter pressure measurements or stress echocardiography to confirm HFpEF or non-HFpEF. Area under the curve (AUC) was determined by comparing HFpEF with non-HFpEF patients. Fifty-three HFpEF (median age 78 years, interquartile range 74-82 years) and thirty-eight non-HFpEF (median age 70 years, interquartile range 64-76 years) were recruited. Cardiac magnetic resonance left atrial (LA) reservoir strain (ResS), LA area index (LAAi), and LA volume index (LAVi) had the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUCs 0.803, 0.815, and 0.776, respectively). Left atrial ResS, LAAi, and LAVi had significantly better diagnostic accuracy than CMR-FT left ventricle (LV)/right ventricle (RV) parameters and tagging (P < 0.01). Tagging circumferential and radial strain had poor diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.644 and 0.541, respectively). Cardiac magnetic resonance LA ResS, LAAi, and LAVi have the highest diagnostic accuracy to identify HFpEF patients from non-HFpEF patients amongst clinically suspected HFpEF patients. Cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking LV/RV parameters and tagging had low diagnostic accuracy to diagnose HFpEF.

From Primary to Tertiary Care: Expert Position Statements to Guide Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Diagnosis.

Globally, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is quickly becoming the dominant form of heart failure (HF) in ageing populations. However, there are still multiple gaps and challenges in making a firm diagnosis of HFpEF in many low-to-middle income Asian countries. In response to this unmet need, the Malaysian HFpEF Working Group (MY-HPWG) gathered and reviewed evidence surrounding the use of different diagnostic modalities indicated for patients with HFpEF to identify diagnostic tools that could be conveniently accessed across different healthcare settings. As a result, five recommendation statements were proposed and an accompanying algorithm was developed, with the aim of improving the diagnostic rate of HFpEF. The MY-HPWG recommends using more easily accessible and non-invasive tools, such as natriuretic peptide (NP) biomarkers and basic echocardiogram (ECHO), to ensure timely HFpEF diagnosis in the primary and secondary care settings, and prompt referral to a tertiary care centre for more comprehensive assessments in uncertain cases.

Small Peptide, Large Implications: Endotrophin in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), the most prevalent type of heart failure (HF), is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and a high rate of hospitalizations. HFpEF incidence is projected to continue to rise over the coming decades, primarily due to the increasing prevalence of multiple risk factors that contribute to the development of this syndrome. Obesity, low cardiorespiratory fitness, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have emerged as crucial elements in the pathogenesis of the syndrome. Obesity, in particular, can trigger and potentiate the systemic inflammatory state that is now recognized as central to the pathogenesis of HFpEF. In HFpEF, a range of cardiovascular changes are observed at the cellular and molecular level, including endothelial dysfunction, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, abnormal calcium handling, microvascular rarefaction, interstitial fibrosis, and excessive collagen deposition (1). A biomarker to assist in diagnosis and risk stratification of HFpEF would improve patient evaluation and management and enable clinical and preclinical research to impact the course of this syndrome. The ideal biomarker would reliably aid in the diagnosis of HFpEF at early stages, guide medical management, and predict disease complications. However, the quest to identify a biomarker with these characteristics has proven elusive as most previous biomarker candidates have fallen short of reaching the clinical stage. Of the biomarkers currently used in the clinic, B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) support the diagnosis of HFpEF in symptomatic individuals and predict adverse outcomes but cannot distinguish HFpEF from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Moreover, levels can be normal in up to 30% of patients with HFpEF; are commonly suppressed in patients with high body mass; and are increased substantially in the setting of CKD, pulmonary hypertension, and atrial fibrillation (1). In asymptomatic individuals, small elevations in NT-proBNP and high sensitivity troponin T and I identify individuals at risk for HF but cannot accurately differentiate future risk of HFpEF from HFrEF.

Incremental diagnostic value of post-exercise lung congestion in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) may unmask occult heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) by demonstrating an increase in extravascular lung water (EVLW) during exercise. Here, we sought to examine the dynamic changes in ultrasound B-lines during exercise to identify the optimal timeframe for HFpEF diagnosis. Patients with HFpEF (n = 134) and those without HF (controls, n = 121) underwent a combination of exercise stress echocardiography and LUS with simultaneous expired gas analysis to identify exercise EVLW. Exercise EVLW was defined by B-lines that were newly developed or increased during exercise. The E/e' ratio peaked during maximal exercise and immediately decreased during the recovery period in patients with HFpEF. Exercise EVLW was most prominent during the recovery period in patients with HFpEF, while its prevalence did not increase from peak exercise to the recovery period in controls. Exercise EVLW was associated with a higher E/e' ratio and pulmonary artery pressure, lower right ventricular systolic function, and elevated minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE vs. VCO2) slope during peak exercise. Increases in B-lines from rest to the recovery period provided an incremental diagnostic value to identify HFpEF over the H2FPEF score and resting left atrial reservoir strain. Exercise EVLW was most prominent early during the recovery period; this may be the optimal timeframe for imaging ultrasound B-lines. Exercise stress echocardiography with assessments of recovery EVLW may enhance the diagnosis of HFpEF.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Definition and Diagnosis.

The Korean Society of Heart Failure guidelines aim to provide physicians with evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and managing patients with heart failure (HF). In Korea, the prevalence of HF has been rapidly increasing in the last 10 years. HF has recently been classified into HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (EF), and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF). Moreover, the availability of newer therapeutic agents has led to an increased emphasis on the appropriate diagnosis of HFpEF. Accordingly, this part of the guidelines will mainly cover the definition, epidemiology, and diagnosis of HF.

JS-HR-3: HEART DISEASE-FOCUS ON LEFT ATRIUM STRUCTURE-

Investigating potential biological relationships between heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and associated diseases has been the focus of much research to establish personalized therapies. Hypertension is the most common concomitant disease in HFpEF patients, but the functional links between HFpEF and hypertension are still not fully understood and effective therapeutic strategies are still lacking. The structure of the left atrium (LA) is important for the diagnosis of HFpEF. In the SPRINT sub-analysis, intensive blood pressure control was not associated with ECG-defined LA abnormalities. In the ARGO-SIIA project, LA volumes indexed by height2 were more sensitive to subclinical hypertensive organ damage than those indexed by body surface area (BSA) in females. In the ARIC study, minimal LA volume index, but not standard assessment by maximum LA volume index, was associated with increased risk of incident HF or death regardless of measures of left ventricular function and NT-proBNP. In this presentation, the latest findings regarding the structure of the LA are updated and summarized in relation to HFpEF.

Central haemodynamic abnormalities and outcome in patients with unexplained dyspnoea.

Little data are available regarding prognostic implications of invasive exercise testing in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The present study aimed to investigate whether rest and exercise central haemodynamic abnormalities are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with dyspnea. Patients with exertional dyspnoea and ejection fraction ≥50% (n=764) underwent invasive exercise testing and follow-up for heart failure hospitalization or death. There were 117 patients with events over a median follow-up of 2.7 (interquartile range 0.5-4.6)years. Among patients with normal resting pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) (<15 mmHg, n=380 [50%]), increased exercise PAWP (≥25 mmHg) was present in 187 (24% of cohort) and was associated with 2.4-fold higher risk of events compared to those with normal exercise PAWP (<25 mmHg, n=193 [25%]) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-5.36; p=0.03), while patients with elevated resting PAWP (≥15 mmHg, n=384 [50%]) displayed even higher risk compared to HFpEF with normal resting PAWP (HR 2.24; 95% CI 1.38-3.65; p=0.001). Similar findings were observed for rest/exercise right atrial pressure, and rest/exercise pulmonary artery pressures. Higher peak oxygen consumption was associated with decreased risk of events, and this relationship was solely explained by exercise cardiac output. In a multivariable-adjusted Cox model, each 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in exercise PAWP was associated with a 41% greater hazard of events (HR 1.41; 95% CI 1.13-1.76; p=0.002), while each 1 SD decrease in exercise cardiac output was associated with a 37% increased risk (HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.47-0.83; p=0.001). Haemodynamic abnormalities currently used for diagnosis of HFpEF are associated with increased risk for adverse events. Treatments that reduce central pressures while improving cardiac output reserve may offer greatest benefit to improve outcomes in HFpEF.

Diagnostic Scores in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

The diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) can be challenging and diagnostic scores have been proposed to help in the diagnostic process. This article reviews these scores to provide insights on their role and interpretation in clinical practice. To date, two scores have been validated for the diagnosis of HFpEF. The H2FPEF includes clinical – obesity, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, age – and echocardiographic data – pulmonary hypertension and E/e’ ratio. The HFA-PEFF uses multiple echocardiographic parameters [...]

A simple guide to diagnose heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A consensus recommendation from the Malaysian HFpEF Working Group (MY-HPWG)

Globally, prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has been increasing. Similar trend was observed in Asia. However, HFpEF diagnosis remained challenging especially in low-to-middle income Asian countries due to lack of access to diagnostic tools.

The Role of Multimodality Imaging in the Evaluation of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is highly prevalent, affecting approximately half of all patients with HF. The diagnosis of HFpEF can be notoriously challenging in clinical practice, given the many overlapping etiologies of dyspnea or reduced exercise tolerance in patients at risk for HFpEF. Multimodality imaging has an important role in establishing the diagnosis of HFpEF and the presence of elevated left ventricular filling pressures, identifying specific etiologies of HFpEF that can benefit from approved therapies, and discerning distinct phenogroups or mechanistic abnormalities that may inform the development of novel therapeutics.

Approach to Echocardiography in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

As echocardiography is universally performed in the evaluation of suspected heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a number of structural and functional characteristics relevant to both the diagnosis and phenotyping of HFpEF can be elucidated. Exclusion of alternate causes of heart failure is a critical first step performed principally by echocardiography. Once HFpEF is confirmed, echocardiography may provide insight into pathophysiology and phenotyping by quantifying atrial mechanics, pericardial restraint, degree of pulmonary hypertension, and atrial valvular regurgitation. Although current echo-Doppler assessment of filling pressures is insensitive to diagnose HFpEF, there are emerging technologies such as left atrial (LA) strain that hold promise for noninvasive diagnosis.

Texture analysis of native T1 images as a novel method for non-invasive assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in end-stage renal disease patients.

To explore the diagnostic potential of texture analysis applied to native T1 maps obtained from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images for the assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study, conducted from June 2018 to November 2020, included 119 patients (35 on hemodialysis, 55 on peritoneal dialysis, and 29 with kidney transplants) in Renji Hospital. Native T1 maps were assessed with texture analysis, using a freely available software package, in participants who underwent cardiac MRI at 3.0 T. Four texture features, selected by dimension reduction specific to the diagnosis of HFpEF, were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the independent association between the selected features and HFpEF in ESRD patients. Seventy-six of 119 patients were diagnosed with HFpEF. Demographic, laboratory, cardiac MRI, and echocardiogram characteristics were compared between HFpEF and non-HFpEF groups. The four texture features that were analyzed showed statistically significant differences between groups. In multivariate analysis, age, left atrial volume index (LAVI), and sum average 4 (SA4) turned out to be independent predictors for HFpEF in ESRD patients. Combining the texture feature, SA4, with typical predictive factors resulted in higher C-index (0.923 vs. 0.898, p = 0.045) and a sensitivity and specificity of 79.2% and 95.2%, respectively. Texture analysis of T1 maps adds diagnostic value to typical clinical parameters for the assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with end-stage renal disease. • Non-invasive assessment of HFpEF can help predict prognosis in ESRD patients and help them take timely preventative measures. • Texture analysis of native T1 maps adds diagnostic value to the typical clinical parameters for the assessment of HFpEF in patients with ESRD.