Diastolic Heart Failure Mechanisms and Assessment Revisited.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Physiology

Background:

• Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) constitutes approximately 50% of heart failure cases.
• HFpEF mechanisms are diverse and not fully elucidated, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
• The term was shifted from 'diastolic HF' to HFpEF due to challenges in assessing left ventricular diastolic function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental mechanisms underlying HFpEF.
• To explain the physiology of left ventricular (LV) filling.
• To discuss comprehensive methods for measuring LV diastolic function for early detection and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on HFpEF pathophysiology.
• Analysis of LV diastolic function measurement techniques.
• Discussion of potential therapeutic strategies based on early recognition.

Main Results:

• HFpEF shares a poor prognosis with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in later stages.
• Lack of disease-modifying agents for HFpEF contrasts with HFrEF.
• An aging population predicts an epidemic rise in HFpEF cases.

Conclusions:

• Early identification of LV diastolic impairment is vital for managing HFpEF.
• Understanding LV filling physiology and measurement is key to early diagnosis.
• Further research and attention are needed to address the growing challenge of HFpEF.