scholarly journals Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction—Does Sex Matter?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sascha Swaraj ◽  
Rebecca Kozor ◽  
Clare Arnott ◽  
Belinda A. Di Bartolo ◽  
Gemma A. Figtree
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Representation Of Women ◽  
Diabetes And Obesity

Abstract Purpose of Review There is an increasing recognition of the importance of sex in susceptibility, clinical presentation, and outcomes for heart failure. This review focusses on heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), unravelling differences in biology, clinical and demographic features and evidence for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This is intended to inform clinicians and researchers regarding state-of-the-art evidence relevant to women, as well as areas of unmet need. Recent Findings Females are well recognised to be under-represented in clinical trials, but there have been some improvements in recent years. Data from the last 5 years reaffirms that women presenting with HFrEF women are older and have more comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes and obesity compared with men and are less likely to have ischaemic heart disease. Non-ischaemic aetiologies are more likely to be the cause of HFrEF in women, and women are more often symptomatic. Whilst mortality is less than in their male counterparts, HFrEF is associated with a bigger impact on quality of life in females. The implications of this for improved prevention, treatment and outcomes are discussed. Summary This review reveals distinct sex differences in HFrEF pathophysiology, types of presentation, morbidity and mortality. In light of this, in order for future research and clinical medicine to be able to manage HFrEF adequately, there must be more representation of women in clinical trials as well as collaboration for the development of sex-specific management guidelines. Future research might also elucidate the biochemical foundation of the sex discrepancy in HFrEF.

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunori Omote ◽  
Frederik H. Verbrugge ◽  
Barry A. Borlaug
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Preserved Ejection Fraction ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Approximately half of all patients with heart failure (HF) have a preserved ejection fraction, and the prevalence is growing rapidly given the aging population in many countries and the rising prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Functional capacity and quality of life are severely impaired in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and morbidity and mortality are high. In striking contrast to HF with reduced ejection fraction, there are few effective treatments currently identified for HFpEF, and these are limited to decongestion by diuretics, promotion of a healthy active lifestyle, and management of comorbidities. Improved phenotyping of subgroups within the overall HFpEF population might enhance individualization of treatment. This review focuses on the current understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying HFpEF and treatment strategies for this complex syndrome. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Medicine, Volume 73 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Co-existing Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: Time to Revisit the Management Guidelines?

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Baher ◽  
Nassir F Marrouche ◽  
◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Heart Failure Hospitalisation

AF in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is common and is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure hospitalisation and all-cause mortality. Rhythm control of AF in this population has been traditionally limited to the use of antiarrhythmic drugs. Clinical trials assessing superiority of pharmacological rhythm control over rate control have been largely disappointing. Catheter ablation has emerged as a viable alternative to pharmacological rhythm control in symptomatic AF and has enjoyed significant technological advancements over the past decade. Recent clinical trials have suggested that catheter ablation is superior to pharmacological interventions in patients with co-existing AF and HFrEF. In this article, we will review the therapeutic options for AF in patients with HFrEF in the context of the latest clinical trials beyond the current established guidelines.

New Novel Treatment Approaches for Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-548
Author(s):  
Shreya Patel ◽  
Keith Veltri
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Hospital Readmission ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
New Novel ◽  
Novel Treatment

Despite availability of standardized drug therapies with proven beneficial outcomes, heart failure is associated with poor quality of life, increased hospital readmission, and high mortality rate. In the recent years, comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure has led to the development and approval of 2 new pharmacological agents, sacubitril–valsartan and ivabradine. These agents are currently approved for use in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and present as novel approaches to further improve prognosis and outcomes in patients with HF. They offer alternative treatment options for patients who are intolerant or continue to be symptomatic despite utilization of standard HF drug therapies at optimally tolerated dosages. A review of these 2 novel agents in HFrEF, including information on pivotal trials that led to its approval and its place in therapy for HFrEF, is presented.

scholarly journals Quality of life and disease experience in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in Spain: a mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e053216
Author(s):  
Raül Rubio ◽  
Beatriz Palacios ◽  
Luis Varela ◽  
Raquel Fernández ◽  
Selene Camargo Correa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Kansas City ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Disease Experience

ObjectivesTo gather insights on the disease experience of patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and assess how patients’ experiences and narratives related to the disease complement data collected through standardised patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Also, to explore new ways of evaluating the burden experienced by patients and caregivers.DesignObservational, descriptive, multicentre, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study.SettingSecondary care, patient’s homes.ParticipantsTwenty patients with HFrEF (New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification I–III) aged 38–85 years.MeasuresPROMs EuroQoL 5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and patient interview and observation.ResultsA total of 20 patients with HFrEF participated in the study. The patients’ mean (SD) age was 72.5 (11.4) years, 65% were male and were classified inNYHA functional classes I (n=4), II (n=7) and III (n=9). The study showed a strong impact of HF in the patients’ quality of life (QoL) and disease experience, as revealed by the standardised PROMs (EQ-5D-5L global index=0.64 (0.36); Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom score=71.56 (20.55)) and the in-depth interviews. Patients and caregivers often disagreed describing and evaluating perceived QoL, as patients downplayed their limitations and caregivers overemphasised the poor QoL of the patients. Patients related current QoL to distant life experiences or to critical moments in their disease, such as hospitalisations. Anxiety over the disease progression is apparent in both patients and caregivers, suggesting that caregiver-specific tools should be developed.ConclusionsPROMs are an effective way of assessing symptoms over the most recent time period. However, especially in chronic diseases such as HFrEF, PROM scores could be complemented with additional tools to gain a better understanding of the patient’s status. New PROMs designed to evaluate and compare specific points in the life of the patient could be clinically more useful to assess changes in health status.

scholarly journals Change of Health‐Related Quality of Life Over Time and Its Association With Patient Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nariman Sepehrvand ◽  
Anamaria Savu ◽  
John A. Spertus ◽  
Jason R. B. Dyck ◽  
Todd Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Summary Score ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Over Time

Background Improving health‐related quality of life is an important goal in the management of patients with heart failure (HF). Defining health‐related quality of life changes over time in patients with HF with preserved (HFpEF) or reduced ejection fraction and showing their association with other important clinical events could support the use of health‐related quality of life as a measure of quantifying HF care. Methods and Results In the Alberta HEART (Heart Failure Aetiology and Analysis Team) cohort (n=621), patients were categorized into 4 subgroups: healthy controls (n=98), at risk (n=163), HFpEF (n=191), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (n=169). The change of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), EuroQOL 5 dimensions, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Anemia over 12 months, and its association with a composite of death or rehospitalization within 3 years were assessed. At baseline, the KCCQ overall summary score was 73 (interquartile range, 53–86) in HFpEF and 78 (interquartile range, 56–90) in HF with reduced ejection fraction ( P =0.22). Overall, 30.5% of patients with HF experienced ≥5‐point improvements and 32.4% had ≥5‐point worsening in KCCQ overall summary score at 12 months, which did not differ between HFpEF and HF with reduced ejection fraction ( P =0.23). Clinical events were higher in patients with HF who had a decline in KCCQ over 12 months as compared with those with stable KCCQ scores (70.2% versus 52.0%, P =0.012). The results were similar for the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Anemia and EuroQOL 5 dimensions. Conclusions In patients with HF, the KCCQ quantified clinically meaningful changes over time, which were associated with important clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF. Given the observed variability and prognostication in different patient trajectories, health‐related quality of life measures could be valuable for quantifying the quality of care in healthcare systems.

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