The H2FPEF and HFA-PEFF algorithms for predicting exercise intolerance and abnormal hemodynamics in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Novel Strategies in Diagnosing Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a prevalent global condition affecting approximately 50% of the HF population. With the aging of the worldwide population, its incidence and prevalence are expected to rise even further. Unfortunately, until recently, no effective medications were available to reduce the high mortality and hospitalization rates associated with HFpEF, making it a significant unmet need in cardiovascular medicine. Although HFpEF is commonly defined as HF with normal ejection fraction and elevated left ventricular filling pressure, performing invasive hemodynamic assessments on every individual suspected of having HFpEF is neither feasible nor practical. Consequently, several clinical criteria and diagnostic tools have been proposed to aid in diagnosing HFpEF. Overall, these criteria and tools are designed to assist healthcare professionals in identifying and evaluating patients who may have HFpEF based on a combination of signs, symptoms, biomarkers, and non-invasive imaging findings. By employing these non-invasive diagnostic approaches, clinicians can make informed decisions regarding the best pharmacological and rehabilitation strategies for individuals with suspected HFpEF. This literature review aims to provide an overview of all currently available methods for diagnosing and monitoring this disabling condition.

Progress of nanopreparation technology applied to volatile oil drug delivery systems

Traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil has a long history and possesses extensive pharmacological activity. However, volatile oils have characteristics such as strong volatility, poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and poor targeting, which limit their application. The use of volatile oil nano drug delivery systems can effectively improve the drawbacks of volatile oils, enhance their bioavailability and chemical stability, and reduce their volatility and toxicity. This article first introduces the limitations of the components of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils, discusses the main classifications and latest developments of volatile oil nano formulations, and briefly describes the preparation methods of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil nano formulations. Secondly, the limitations of nano formulation technology are discussed, along with future challenges and prospects. A deeper understanding of the role of nanotechnology in traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils will contribute to the modernization of volatile oils and broaden their application value.

Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a systematic narrative review of the evidence

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common condition in clinical practice, affecting more than half of patients with HF. HFpEF is associated with morbidity and mortality and with considerable healthcare resource utilization and costs. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial to facilitate prompt management, particularly initiation of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. Although European guidelines define HFpEF as the presence of symptoms with or without signs of HF, left ventricular EF ≥ 50%, and objective evidence of cardiac structural and/or functional abnormalities, together with elevated natriuretic peptide levels, the diagnosis of HFpEF remains challenging. First, there is no clear consensus on how HFpEF should be defined. Furthermore, diagnostic tools, such as natriuretic peptide levels and resting echocardiogram findings, are significantly limited in the diagnosis of HFpEF. As a result, some patients are overdiagnosed (i.e., elderly people with comorbidities that mimic HF), although in other cases, HFpEF is overlooked. In this manuscript, we perform a systematic narrative review of the diagnostic approach to patients with HFpEF. We also propose a comprehensible algorithm that can be easily applied in daily clinical practice and could prove useful for confirming or ruling out a diagnosis of HFpEF.

Novel echocardiographic markers for left ventricular filling pressure prediction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (ECHO-PREDICT): a prospective cross-sectional study

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is a complex clinical syndrome associated with a high level of morbidity and mortality, constituting 56% of heart failure cases and showing an increasing prevalence. The E/Ea ratio, used for echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure, has been commonly recommended as a noninvasive measure. However, its validity lacks robust prospective validation in patients with preserved LV ejection fraction, and its accuracy has been questioned in comparison to patients with reduced LV ejection fraction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of novel echocardiographic markers incorporating peak E velocity, left atrial volume index (LAVi), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAP) for noninvasive estimation of LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) against invasive measurement. In this cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care hospital, a sample size of 122 participants was utilized. Statistical analyses including independent samples t-test, χ2 test, and linear regression analysis were employed to explore correlations and predict outcomes. The results indicated that Group 1 (LVEDP <20 mmHg) had a mean age of 59.25 years, while Group 2 (LVEDP >20 mmHg) had a mean age of 56.93 years. Mitral E velocity positively predicted LVEDP, while Mitral E/A ratio showed a negative association. Notably, (E+PAP)/2, (E+LAVi)/2, and Mitral E exhibited good discriminative ability, with respective area under the curve values of 0.840, 0.900, and 0.854. (E+LAVi)/2 demonstrated the highest discriminatory power, with a threshold of 40.100, yielding high sensitivity (0.971) but relatively low specificity (0.302) in predicting LVEDP greater than 20. These findings emphasize the accuracy and utility of combining diastolic variables and peak E velocity as markers for left ventricular filling pressure in patients with a high burden of cardiac disease. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of these parameters in assessing cardiac abnormalities and supports the potential of novel echocardiographic parameters, particularly (E+LAVi)/2, in predicting LVEDP greater than 20. Further research is warranted to validate and explore the prognostic implications of these parameters in larger patient populations, ultimately improving the diagnosis and management of cardiac disease and enhancing clinical outcomes.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in the Elderly: Peculiar Features and Challenges for a Proper Phenotyping Approach

(1) Introduction. Although pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) usually affects young people with a low cardiovascular risk profile, progressive epidemiologic changes have been providing a codified phenotype of elderly subjects with PAH and increased risk predictors for left heart disease. We therefore conducted a systematic review to describe the current knowledge and characteristics of elderly individuals with PAH and further insights concerning their prognostic outcomes and therapeutic response. (2) Methods. A search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for publications evaluating the epidemiology, diagnostic work-up, and treatment of PAH in elderly subjects. (3) Among the 74 publications initially retrieved, 16 full-text articles were selected for the present systematic review. Compared to their younger counterparts, elderly individuals with PAH showed greater clinical deterioration, reduced exercise capacity, and worse prognostic outcomes, as well as less response to PAH-targeted therapy and higher rates of PAH drug discontinuation. (4) Conclusions. Demographic changes over time contributed to define a peculiar PAH phenotype in elderly patients, with an increased burden of cardiovascular comorbidities and distinctive features compared to young patients. Further investigations are needed in order to better clarify the nosologic criteria, and management in this subset population.

Comparing the Diagnostic Performance of HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF Scoring Systems in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Patients: Insights from the APOLLON Registry

BACKGROUND

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is a complex and heterogeneous clinical syndrome, poses significant diagnostic challenges. The HFA-PEFF [Heart Failure Association of ESC diagnostic algorithm, P (Pretest Assessment), E  (Echocardiographic and Natriuretic Peptide score), F1 (Functional testing in Case of Uncertainty), F2 (Final Aetiology)] and H2FPEF [Heavy (BMI>30 kg/m2), Hypertensive (use of ≥2 antihypertensive medications), atrial Fibrillation (paroxysmal or persistent), Pulmonary hypertension (Doppler Echocardiographic estimated Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure >35 mm Hg), Elderly (age >60 years), Filling pressure (Doppler Echocardiographic E/e' >9)] scoring systems were developed to aid in diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This study aimed to assess the concordance and clinical accuracy of these scoring systems in the 'A comPrehensive, ObservationaL registry of heart faiLure with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fractiON' cohort.

METHODS

A comPrehensive, ObservationaL registry of heart faiLure with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fractiON study was conducted as a multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study; to evaluate a group of Heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients who were seen by cardiologists in 13 participating centers across 12 cities in Türkiye.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 819 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, with high probability heart failure with preserved ejection fraction rates of 40% and 26% for HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF scorings, respectively. The concordance between the 2 scoring systems was found to be low (Kendall's taub correlation coefficient of 0.242, P < .001). The diagnostic performance of both scoring systems was evaluated, revealing differences in their approach and ability to accurately identify heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients.

CONCLUSION

The low concordance between the HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF scoring systems underscores the ongoing challenge of accurately diagnosing and managing patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Clinicians should be aware of the strengths and limitations of each scoring system and use them in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Future research should focus on identifying additional diagnostic factors, developing more accurate and comprehensive diagnostic algorithms, and investigating alternative methods of diagnosis or stratification of patients based on different clinical characteristics.

The prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and HFA-PEFF in patients with unexplained dyspnea and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

HFA-PEFF and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) are comprehensive diagnostic tools for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to investigate the incremental prognostic value of CPET for the HFA-PEFF score among patients with unexplained dyspnea with preserved ejection fraction (EF).

METHODS

Consecutive patients with dyspnea and preserved EF (n = 292) were enrolled between August 2019 and July 2021. All patients underwent CPET and comprehensive echocardiography, including two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in the left ventricle, left atrium and right ventricle. The primary outcome was defined as a composite cardiovascular event including cardiovascular-related mortality, acute recurrent heart failure hospitalization, urgent repeat revascularization/myocardial infarction or any hospitalization due to cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

The mean age was 58 ± 14.5 years, and 166 (56.8%) participants were male. The study population was divided into three groups based on the HFA-PEFF score: < 2 (n = 81), 2-4 (n = 159), and ≥ 5 (n = 52). HFA-PEFF score ≥ 5, VE/VCO₂ slope, peak systolic strain rate of the left atrium and resting diastolic blood pressure were independently associated with composite cardiovascular events. Furthermore, the addition of VE/VCO₂ and HFA-PEFF to the base model showed incremental prognostic value for predicting composite cardiovascular events (C-statistic 0.898; integrated discrimination improvement 0.129, p = 0.032; net reclassification improvement 1.043, p ≤0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CPET could be exploited for the HFA-PEFF approach in terms of incremental prognostic value and diagnosis among patients with unexplained dyspnea with preserved EF.

Effects of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Early-Stage Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background

Hospitalization with a first episode of heart failure (HF) is a serious event associated with poor clinical outcomes in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Identification of HFpEF via detection of elevated left ventricular filling pressure at rest or during exercise may allow early intervention. Benefits of treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) in established HFpEF have been reported, but use of MRAs is not well studied in early HFpEF without prior HF hospitalization.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 197 patients with HFpEF who did not have prior hospitalization but had been diagnosed by exercise stress echocardiography or catheterization. We examined changes in natriuretic peptide levels and echocardiographic parameters reflecting diastolic function following MRA initiation.

Results

Of the 197 patients with HFpEF, MRA treatment was initiated for 47 patients. After a median 3-month follow-up, reduction in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels from baseline to follow-up was greater in patients treated with MRA than in those who were not (median, -200 pg/mL [interquartile range, -544 to -31] vs 67 pg/mL [interquartile range, -95 to 456], P < 0.0001 in 50 patients with paired data). Similar results were observed for the changes in B-type natriuretic peptide levels. Reduction in the left atrial volume index was also greater in the MRA-treated group than in the non-MRA-treated group after a median 7-month follow-up (77 patients with paired echocardiographic data). Patients with lower left ventricular global longitudinal strain experienced a greater reduction in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels following MRA treatment. In the safety assessment, MRA modestly decreased renal function but did not change potassium levels.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that MRA treatment has potential benefits for early-stage HFpEF.

Discriminative Role of Invasive Left Heart Catheterization in Patients Suspected of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background Recently, diastolic stress testing and invasive hemodynamic measurements have been emphasized for diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) because when determined using noninvasive parameters it can fall into a nondiagnostic intermediate range. The current study evaluated the discriminative and prognostic roles of invasive measured left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in the population with suspected HFpEF, particularly for patients with intermediate Heart Failure Association Pre-test Assessment, Echocardiography & Natriuretic Peptide, Functional Testing, Final Etiology (HFA-PEFF) score. Methods and Results A total of 404 patients with symptoms or signs of HF and preserved left ventricular systolic function were enrolled. All subjects underwent left heart catheterization with left ventricular end-diastolic pressure measurement for confirmation of HFpEF (≥16 mm Hg). The primary outcome was all-cause death or readmission due to HF within 10 years. Among the study population, 324 patients (80.2%) were diagnosed as invasively confirmed HFpEF, and 80 patients (19.8%) were as noncardiac dyspnea. The patients with HFpEF showed a significantly higher HFA-PEFF score than the patients with noncardiac dyspnea (3.8±1.8 versus 2.6±1.5, P<0.001). The discriminative ability of the HFA-PEFF score for diagnosing HFpEF was modest (area under the curve, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.64-0.75], P<0.001). The HFA-PEFF score was associated with a significantly higher 10-year risk of death or HF readmission (per-1 increase, hazard ratio [HR], 1.603 [95% CI, 1.376-1.868], P<0.001). Among the 226 patients with an intermediate HFA-PEFF score (2-4), those with invasively confirmed HFpEF had a significantly higher risk of death or HF readmission within 10 years than the patients with noncardiac dyspnea (24.0% versus 6.9%, HR, 3.327 [95% CI, 1.109-16.280], P=0.030). Conclusions The HFA-PEFF score is a moderately useful tool for predicting future adverse events in suspected HFpEF, and invasively measured left ventricular end-diastolic pressure can provide additional information to discriminate patient prognosis, particularly in those with intermediate HFA-PEFF scores. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04505449.

Diagnostic value of expired gas analysis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) may potentially differentiate heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) from noncardiac causes of dyspnea (NCD). While contemporary guidelines for HF recommend using CPET for identifying causes of unexplained dyspnea, data supporting this practice are limited. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of expired gas analysis to distinguish HFpEF from NCD. Exercise stress echocardiography with simultaneous expired gas analysis was performed in patients with HFpEF (n = 116) and those with NCD (n = 112). Participants without dyspnea symptoms were also enrolled as controls (n = 26). Exercise capacity was impaired in patients with HFpEF than in controls and those with NCD, evidenced by lower oxygen consumption (VO₂), but there was a substantial overlap between HFpEF and NCD. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed modest diagnostic abilities of expired gas analysis data in differentiating individuals with HFpEF from the controls; however, none of these variables clearly differentiated between HFpEF and NCD (all areas under the curve < 0.61). Expired gas analysis provided objective assessments of exercise capacity; however, its diagnostic value in identifying HFpEF among patients with symptoms of exertional dyspnea was modest.

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

AIMS

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.

METHODS AND RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

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.

Utility of E/e' Ratio During Low-Level Exercise to Diagnose Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

BACKGROUND

E/e' ratio during exercise is the key parameter in identifying elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), and thus heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, its diagnostic value is limited when mitral inflow or tissue velocities are fused during elevated heart rate.

OBJECTIVES

The authors hypothesized that E/e' ratio during low-level (20 W) exercise (E/e'20W) can help diagnose HFpEF.

METHODS

Ergometric exercise stress echocardiography was performed in 215 dyspneic patients with an EF ≥50%. The authors determined the feasibility of E/e' ratio at each stage (frequency of patients who had measurable E/e' without E-A fusion among 215 participants) and examined whether E/e'20W could predict normal E/e' ratio during peak exercise (E/e'peak ≤15). The authors also evaluated whether E/e'20W could predict normal PCWP during exercise (PCWP <25 mm Hg) in a subset of participants (n = 45) who underwent exercise right heart catheterization.

RESULTS

The feasibility of the E/e' ratio decreased from 100% at rest to 96.3% during 20-W exercise and 74.9% during peak exercise caused by E-A fusion. In patients with E/e'peak >15, there was an increase in E/e' ratio from rest to 20-W exercise (11.2 ± 2.1 to 16.3 ± 3.5; P < 0.0001), but it did not change significantly from 20-W exercise to peak exercise (P = 0.12). E/e'20W predicted E/e'peak ≤15 (AUC: 0.91; P < 0.0001) with the cutoff value of ≤12.4 showing high specificity (94%) and positive predictive value (98%). During 20-W exercise, 93% of the HFpEF patients developed PCWP ≥25 mm Hg. E/e'20W predicted normal PCWP during exercise (AUC: 0.77; P = 0.01) with the cutoff value of ≤12.4 showing high specificity (83%).

CONCLUSIONS

E/e' ratio during low-level exercise is highly feasible and predicts normal E/e' ratio or PCWP during peak exercise with high specificity. These data suggest that E/e'20W could be used as an alternative to the peak exercise value to rule out HFpEF in patients with dyspnea.

Evaluation of the HFA-PEFF Score: results from the prospective DIAST-CHF cohort

AIMS

Although the number of patients suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) increases, the routine diagnosis remains a challenge. In the absence of a pathognomonic sign for HFpEF or specific treatment strategies, a prognosis-based characterization of suspected patients remains promising for both the risk stratification of the patients and a disease definition. The Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology has introduced an algorithm with different levels of likelihood regarding the diagnosis of HFpEF, the HFA-PEFF score. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of this algorithm in a large cohort regarding mortality, symptom burden, and the functional status.

METHODS AND RESULTS

DIAST-CHF is a multicentre, population-based, prospective, observational study in subjects with at least one risk factor for HFpEF between the age of 50 and 85. We calculated the HFA-PEFF score (n = 1668) and analysed the risk groups for overall mortality, cardiovascular hospitalization, and submaximal functional capacity (6-min walk distance) at baseline and after a follow-up period of 10 years. Patients with high HFA-PEFF score values 5&6 showed a higher mortality than those with an intermediate score (score values 2-4) and low score values (high 21.3% vs. intermediate 10.1% vs. low 4.3%, P < 0.001). Also, the burden of MACE (death, cardiovascular hospitalization, new myocardial infarction, first diagnosis of HF) was increased in the high score values group (high 40.7% vs. intermediate 25.9% vs. low 13.9%, P < 0.001). Similarly, patients with higher scores had higher cumulative incidences of cardiovascular hospitalizations (P = 0.011). Subjects with higher scores also had lower 6-min walk distance both at baseline and during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The HFA-PEFF score provides a reliable instrument to stratify suspected HFpEF patients by their risk for mortality, symptom burden, and functional status in cohort at risk with a follow-up period of 10 years. As high HFA-PEFF scores are associated with worse outcome, the HFA-PEFF algorithm describes a defining approach towards HFpEF.

Genomic, Proteomic, and Metabolic Comparisons of Small Animal Models of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Tale of Mice, Rats, and Cats

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains a medical anomaly that baffles researchers and physicians alike. The overall phenotypical changes of diastolic function and left ventricular hypertrophy observed in HFpEF are definable; however, the metabolic and molecular alterations that ultimately produce these changes are not well established. Comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as general aging, play crucial roles in its development and progression. Various animal models have recently been developed to better understand the pathophysiological and metabolic developments in HFpEF and to illuminate novel avenues for pharmacotherapy. These models include multi‐hit rodents and feline aortic constriction animals. Recently, genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic approaches have been used to define altered signaling pathways in the heart associated with HFpEF, including those involved in inflammation, cGMP‐related, Ca²⁺ handling, mitochondrial respiration, and the unfolded protein response in endoplasmic reticulum stress. This article aims to present an overview of what has been learnt by these studies, focusing mainly on the findings in common while highlighting unresolved issues. The knowledge gained from these research models will not simply be of benefit for treating HFpEF but will undoubtedly provide new insights into the mechanisms by which the heart deals with external stresses and how the processes involved can fail.

Exercise Stress Echocardiography in the Diagnostic Evaluation of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

More than half of patients with heart failure have a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The prevalence of HFpEF has been increasing worldwide and is expected to increase further, making it an important health-care problem. The diagnosis of HFpEF is straightforward in the presence of obvious objective signs of congestion; however, it is challenging in patients presenting with a low degree of congestion because abnormal elevation in intracardiac pressures may occur only during physiological stress conditions, such as during exercise. On the basis of this hemodynamic background, current consensus guidelines have emphasized the importance of exercise stress testing to reveal abnormalities during exercise, and exercise stress echocardiography (i.e., diastolic stress echocardiography) may be used as an initial diagnostic approach to HFpEF owing to its noninvasive nature and wide availability. However, evidence supporting the use of this method remains limited and many knowledge gaps exist with respect to diastolic stress echocardiography. This review summarizes the current understanding of the use of diastolic stress echocardiography in the diagnostic evaluation of HFpEF and discusses its strengths and limitations to encourage future studies on this subject.