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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Michelle W Bloom1, Barry Greenberg2, Tiny Jaarsma3,4
1Division of Cardiology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, 101 Nicolls Road, HSC, T-16, Rm 080, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8167, USA.
Insights
Heart failure affects millions globally, with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction being a major cause of morbidity. New therapies are urgently needed as current treatments do not offer a cure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Heart failure is a growing global health issue, impacting over 26 million people worldwide.
- Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) constitutes about 50% of US cases, leading to significant morbidity and reduced quality of life.
- Various conditions like myocardial infarction and endocrine disorders can trigger pathophysiological processes leading to heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the global burden and challenges associated with heart failure, particularly HFrEF.
- To underscore the limitations of current management strategies and the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches.
Main Methods:
- This abstract reviews the current understanding of heart failure pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.
- It synthesizes information on the epidemiology, etiological factors, and clinical manifestations of heart failure.
Main Results:
- The sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system initially compensate for ventricular impairment but worsen cardiac function with chronic activation.
- Symptoms such as dyspnoea, fatigue, and fluid accumulation can complicate diagnosis.
- Despite pharmacological therapies and devices, heart failure remains incurable with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate.
Conclusions:
- The development of new therapies for heart failure is imperative due to its incurable nature and high mortality.
- Further research is essential to improve outcomes for the millions affected by this condition.
Abstract:
Heart failure is a global public health problem that affects more than 26 million people worldwide. The global burden of heart failure is growing and is expected to increase substantially with the ageing of the population. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction accounts for approximately 50% of all cases of heart failure in the United States and is associated with substantial morbidity and reduced quality of life. Several diseases, such as myocardial infarction, certain infectious diseases and endocrine disorders, can initiate a primary pathophysiological process that can lead to reduced ventricular function and to heart failure. Initially, ventricular impairment is compensated for by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, but chronic activation of these pathways leads to worsening cardiac function. The symptoms of heart failure can be associated with other conditions and include dyspnoea, fatigue, limitations in exercise tolerance and fluid accumulation, which can make diagnosis difficult. Management strategies include the use of pharmacological therapies and implantable devices to regulate cardiac function. Despite these available treatments, heart failure remains incurable, and patients have a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Consequently, the development of new therapies is imperative and requires further research.
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