Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Heart Fail Clin. 2014 Jul;10(3):399-406. doi: 10.1016/j.hfc.2014.04.010.

Abstract

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) constitutes a growing health care burden worldwide. Although definitions vary somewhat among guidelines, in general the presence of typical heart failure symptoms and signs in combination with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (≥50%) and functional and/or structural left ventricular changes makes the diagnosis likely. This review focuses on the current understanding of diagnostic criteria, as presented in current guidelines and consensus recommendations, and on new insights from recent papers. The role of comorbidities that often contribute to symptoms and hamper the HFpEF diagnostics is also reviewed.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Diagnosis; Diastolic dysfunction; Diastolic heart failure; Echocardiographic; Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods*
  • Disease Progression
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / methods*
  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods
  • Physical Examination / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Prognosis
  • Radiography, Thoracic / methods
  • Reference Values
  • Risk Assessment
  • Stroke Volume / physiology*
  • Survival Rate
  • Syndrome
  • Ventricular Function, Left / physiology*