Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
The treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction ("diastolic heart failure")
1Department of Cardiology, Clinical Research Initiative in Heart Failure, University of Glasgow Western Infirmary, Glasgow, G11 6NT, United Kingdom.
Insights
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction lacks proven treatments. Current research investigates ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and aldosterone antagonists for improved clinical outcomes in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) lacks evidence-based treatments.
- Existing therapies do not demonstrably improve clinical outcomes for HFpEF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current treatment landscape for HFpEF.
- To highlight ongoing clinical trials investigating novel therapeutic agents for HFpEF.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HFpEF treatments.
- Discussion of ongoing large-scale clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Limited evidence suggests verapamil may improve exercise capacity and reduce HF scores in small studies.
- Large trials are evaluating ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and aldosterone antagonists for HFpEF.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical unmet need for effective treatments for HFpEF.
- Ongoing trials hold promise for establishing evidence-based therapies to improve clinical outcomes in HFpEF.
Abstract:
Unlike heart failure with a low ejection fraction, there is no evidence-based treatment for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction which improves clinical outcomes. Indeed, the only evidence for any treatment effect comes from small studies with verapamil where this drug increased exercise capacity and reduced a heart failure score. Large trials are presently underway which are examining the effect of treatment with an ACE inhibitor, ARB and aldosterone antagonist in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.
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