Clinical trials in patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

Abstract

There is no robust evidence that any treatment can modify the natural history of patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF), although most agree that diuretics can control congestion and improve symptoms. HFpEF is often complicated by systemic and pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, obesity, chronic lung and kidney disease, lack of physical fitness, and old age that can complicate both diagnosis and management. Further trials should phenotype patients precisely and create better definitions of HFpEF based on biomarkers.

Keywords: Clinical trials; Comorbidity; HFpEF; NT-proBNP.