Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Is a Potent Risk Factor for the Development of HFpEF but Not HFrEF: Results of a Retrospective Cohort Study

Use of Statins in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Current Evidence and Perspectives

Systemic inflammation and coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction are essential pathophysiological factors in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) that support the use of statins. The pleiotropic properties of statins, such as anti-inflammatory, antihypertrophic, antifibrotic, and antioxidant effects, are generally accepted and may be beneficial in HF, especially in HFpEF. Numerous observational clinical trials have consistently shown a beneficial prognostic effect of statins in patients with HFpEF, while the results of two larger trials in patients with HFrEF have been controversial. Such differences may be related to a more pronounced impact of the pleiotropic properties of statins on the pathophysiology of HFpEF and pro-inflammatory comorbidities (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, chronic kidney disease) that are more common in HFpEF. This review discusses the potential mechanisms of statin action that may be beneficial for patients with HFpEF, as well as clinical trials that have evaluated the statin effects on left ventricular diastolic function and clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF.

Beta-blockers in Hypertensive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Atrial Fibrillation Prevention

BACKGROUND

Hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (HTN LVH) is a key risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the possible role of beta-blockers (BBs) in addition to a renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAAS) blocker in AF prevention in patients with HTN LVH.

METHODS

We performed a PubMed, Elsevier, SAGE, Oxford, and Google Scholar search with the search items 'beta blocker hypertension left ventricular hypertrophy patient' from 2013-2023. In the end, a 'snowball search', based on the references of relevant papers as well as from papers that cited them was performed.

RESULTS

HTN LVH is a risk factor for AF. In turn, AF substantially complicates HTN LVH and contributes to the genesis of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The prognosis of HFpEF is comparable with that of HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), and, regardless of the type, HF is associated with five-year mortality of 50-75%. The antiarrhythmic properties of BBs are wellrecognized, and BBs as a class of drugs are - in general - recommended to decrease the incidence of AF in HTN.

CONCLUSION

BBs are recommended (as a class) for AF prevention in several contemporary guidelines for HTN. LVH regression in HTN - used as a single criterion for the choice of antihypertensive medication - does not capture this protective effect. Consequently, it is worth studying how meaningful this antiarrhythmic action (to prevent AF) of BBs is in patients with HTN LVH in addition to a RAAS blocker.

Spironolactone effect on cardiac structure and function of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: a pooled analysis of three randomized trials

AIMS

Spironolactone is currently used in a large proportion of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), yet its effect on cardiac structure and function in a large population has not been well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of spironolactone on key echocardiographic parameters in HFpEF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An individual-patient-data meta-analysis of three randomized trials (HOMAGE, Aldo-DHF, and TOPCAT) was performed comparing spironolactone (9-12 month exposure) to placebo (or control) for the changes in left atrial volume index (LAVi), left ventricular mass index (LVMi), interventricular septum (IVS) thickness, E/e' ratio, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) among patients with stage B (HOMAGE) or C (Aldo-DHF and TOPCAT) HFpEF. Analysis of covariance was used to test the effect of spironolactone on echocardiographic changes. A total of 984 patients were included in this analysis: 452 (45.9%) from HOMAGE, 398 (40.4%) from Aldo-DHF, and 134 (13.6%) from TOPCAT. The pooled-cohort patient's median age was 71 (66-77) years and 39% were women. Median LAVi was 29 (24-35) ml/m² , LVMi 100 (84-118) g/m² , IVS thickness 12 (10-13) mm, E/e' ratio 11 (9-13), and LVEF 64 (59-69)%. Spironolactone reduced LAVi by -1.1 (-2.0 to -0.1) ml/m² (p = 0.03); LVMi by -3.6 (-6.4 to -0.8) g/m² (p = 0.01); IVS thickness by -0.2 (-0.3 to -0.1) mm (p = 0.01); E/e' ratio by -1.3 (-2.4 to -0.2) (p = 0.02); and increased LVEF by 1.7 (0.8-2.6)% (p < 0.01). No treatment-by-study heterogeneity was found except for E/e' ratio with a larger effect in Aldo-DHF and TOPCAT (interaction p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Spironolactone improved cardiac structure and function of patients with HFpEF.

From Structural to Functional Hypertension Mediated Target Organ Damage—A Long Way to Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a major risk factor for the development of heart failure (HF) which represents one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The chronic hemodynamic overload induced by AH is responsible for different types of functional and morphological adaptation of the cardiovascular system, defined as hypertensive mediated target organ damage (HMOD), whose identification is of fundamental importance for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Among HMODs, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMVD), and subclinical systolic dysfunction have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of HF and represent promising therapeutic targets. Furthermore, LVH represents a strong predictor of cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients, influencing per se the development of CMVD and systolic dysfunction. Clinical evidence suggests considering LVH as a diagnostic marker for HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Several studies have also shown that microalbuminuria, a parameter of abnormal renal function, is implicated in the development of HFpEF and in predicting the prognosis of patients with HF. The present review highlights recent evidence on the main HMOD, focusing in particular on LVH, CMD, subclinical systolic dysfunction, and microalbuminuria leading to HFpEF.