Left ventricular geometry transition in hypertensive patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) develops in response to hypertensive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and is associated with increased cardiovascular events. Although the progression to systolic heart failure is a known consequence of LV hypertrophy and HFpEF, few data are available on the LV geometry change and frequency of deterioration to systolic dysfunction in this population.

We evaluated the baseline and follow-up characteristics in 680 patients with LV hypertrophy and HFpEF in this prospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was 5 year all-cause mortality. The changes of LV geometry and heart failure transition were analysed. Systolic dysfunction [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%] occurred in 182 patients (26.8%) during a 5 year follow-up. Patients with LVEF deterioration were associated with a lower survival rate. Beta-blocker prescription was a protective factor for preserved LVEF. And concentric LV geometry shifted to eccentric hypertrophy was uncommon (10.6%) during a 5 year follow-up.

A quarter of patients with hypertensive LV hypertrophy and HFpEF progresses to systolic dysfunction during a 5 year follow-up, which was accompanied by poor clinical outcomes. And beta-blocker therapy might play a protective role for preserved LVEF in this population.