Facts and numbers on epidemiology and pharmacological treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Abstract

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major and growing public health problem. Epidemiologic studies demonstrated that heart failure (HF) can be clinically diagnosed in patients with normal or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. These patients are therefore termed as having HFpEF. In the past, this was often called diastolic HF. Because of the permanent increase of the prevalence of HFpEF during the past decades, HFpEF now accounts for more than 50% of the total HF population. There are uncertainties and debates regarding the definition, diagnosis, and pathophysiology with the consequence that all outcome trials performed so far used criteria for inclusion and exclusion that were not consistent. These trials also failed to document improved prognosis. Recent smaller proof-of-concept or Phase II clinical trials investigating different pathophysiological approaches with substances such as the neprilysin inhibitor-angiotensin receptor blocker- combination (LCZ 696), ranolazine, or ivabradine were successful to improve biomarkers, haemodynamics, or functional capacity. Future trials will need to document whether also prognosis can be improved.

Keywords: Treatment; diastolic; heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.