Attenuation of stress-based ventricular contractility in patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction

Liang Zhong1, Kian Keong Poh, Li Ching Lee

  • 1Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre, Singapore.

Insights

The maximal rate of change of pressure-normalised wall stress (dσ*/dtmax) effectively diagnoses heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF). This echocardiographic measure is a powerful predictor, aiding early diagnosis and management of HFNEF.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • The maximal rate of change of pressure-normalised wall stress (dσ*/dtmax) is a proposed index of left ventricular (LV) contractility.
  • Heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) presents diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the diagnostic capacity of dσ*/dtmax for identifying HFNEF.
  • To evaluate dσ*/dtmax as a predictor of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) and HFNEF.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiography was used to measure dσ*/dtmax in 100 healthy controls, 40 HFNEF patients, and 100 HFREF patients.
  • Exclusion criteria included significant valvular heart disease; Tissue Doppler indices were also measured.

Main Results:

  • dσ*/dtmax was significantly reduced in HFNEF (3.02 ± 0.98 s⁻¹) and HFREF (2.00 ± 0.67 s⁻¹) compared to controls (4.43 ± 1.27 s⁻¹).
  • dσ*/dtmax independently predicted both HFNEF and HFREF.
  • Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed high accuracy for detecting HFNEF (AUC 0.84) and HFREF (AUC 0.88).

Conclusions:

  • dσ*/dtmax is a powerful independent predictor for diagnosing HFNEF via echocardiography.
  • This measure can aid in the early diagnosis, triage, and management of HFNEF patients.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.