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Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
09:20

Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Published on: February 13, 2021

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Characteristics of patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction

Yusuke Funato1, Hideki Kawai1, Yuji Kono2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University, School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Fujita Medical Journal
|November 3, 2025
PubMed

Insights

A low skeletal muscle index is a key characteristic of heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFnEF). This finding suggests that increasing muscle mass through nutrition and exercise may improve outcomes for HFnEF patients unresponsive to medication.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • A new classification divides heart failure into heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFnEF) and non-HFnEF based on medication effects.
  • The characteristics of HFnEF patients remain unclear, necessitating further investigation into associated factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the demographic and clinical characteristics, including non-cardiac factors, of patients diagnosed with HFnEF.
  • To understand the background factors contributing to HFnEF.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 304 hospitalized heart failure patients from December 2020 to December 2022.
  • Patients were divided into HFnEF (n=37) and non-HFnEF (n=267) groups for comparison of characteristics.
  • Multivariate analysis was performed, including patient sex, to identify independent determinants of HFnEF.

Main Results:

  • The HFnEF group exhibited a higher proportion of patients with a low skeletal muscle index (<7.0 kg/m² for men, <5.7 kg/m² for women).
  • Older age, low NT-proBNP levels, and a low skeletal muscle index were identified as independent determinants of HFnEF.
  • The non-HFnEF group had more elderly patients, fewer with coronary artery disease, and lower serum hemoglobin levels.

Conclusions:

  • A low skeletal muscle index is significantly more prevalent in HFnEF patients compared to non-HFnEF patients.
  • Targeted nutrition and exercise interventions to enhance skeletal muscle mass could potentially improve prognosis in HFnEF patients.
  • Further research into non-cardiac factors like skeletal muscle mass is crucial for managing HFnEF.
Abstract

Keywords:
Ejection fractionHeart failureSarcopeniaSkeletal muscle index

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