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Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
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Sex-specific cardiovascular structure and function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Mauro Gori1, Carolyn S P Lam, Deepak K Gupta
1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
European Journal of Heart Failure
|February 28, 2014
Summary
Women with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) experience worse diastolic dysfunction and higher left ventricular stiffness. These factors may explain why women are more prone to developing HFpEF than men.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Sex Differences in Medicine
Background:
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) disproportionately affects women.
- Understanding sex-based differences in cardiovascular structure and function is crucial for HFpEF management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sex and cardiovascular structure and function in patients diagnosed with HFpEF.
- To identify potential sex-specific mechanisms contributing to HFpEF prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 279 participants (57% women) from the PARAMOUNT study with baseline echocardiograms.
- Assessment of sex-based differences in clinical characteristics, cardiac structure, and diastolic/systolic function.
- Evaluation of left ventricular (LV) geometry, strain, stiffness, and arterial-LV coupling.
Main Results:
- Women with HFpEF had higher indexed LV wall thickness, worse diastolic function (lower E', higher E/E'), and increased LV diastolic and systolic stiffness compared to men.
- Despite similar LV ejection fraction, women exhibited lower Tissue Doppler Imaging S' mitral velocity.
- No significant sex differences were found in LV mass, LV volumes, or systolic arterial-LV coupling after adjustments.
Conclusions:
- More pronounced diastolic dysfunction and increased LV stiffness in women may contribute to their higher predisposition for HFpEF.
- These findings highlight potential sex-specific therapeutic targets for HFpEF.
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