[Diastolic heart failure: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction]

Abstract

The prognosis for patients with diastolic heart failure--heart failure with preserved ejection fraction--has not improved in the last few decades despite improvement of prognosis for all patients with heart failure. Diastolic dysfunction is a typical finding in elderly patients with heart failure. The diagnostic process is a challenge for clinicians who are often faced with comorbidities like COPD, osteoarthritis, sarcopenia, and diabetes. Classical treatment options fail to improve patients with diastolic heart failure; thus, a comprehensive and specific treatment plan is necessary.