Introduction:
Heart Failure (HF) is categorized according to the AHA/ACC 2013 HF Guidelines based on Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF); HF with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF, EF≤40%), and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF, EF ≥ 50%). There is a group of “borderline” patients with EF 41%-49%, termed Heart Failure with Mid-Range Ejection Fraction (HFmrEF). Given this category is not well understood, we sought to evaluate clinical characteristics and management patterns for patients with HFmrEF.
Methods:
A systematic review was performed using Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL and LILACS (1946 – 03/2018). Search terms included HF, mid-range, borderline LVEF with several ranges (40-50 or 40-45 or 45-50). Variables characterizing clinical features and medications were extracted for each HF group and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were pooled.
Results:
Of 1,131 abstracts identified, 24 met inclusion criteria (total patients 480,188). Patients with HFmrEF compared to those with HFrEF were more likely to be female (OR 1.42), have hypertension [HTN] (OR 1.34) and diabetes (OR 1.11), higher SBP (OR 1.17), better NYHA-FC (FC I OR 1.73, FC II 1.33), less likely to have coronary artery disease [CAD] (OR 0.74) and more likely to be treated with ACEI, ARB, BB, Digoxin, MRA and statins (Figure 1-2). HFmrEF patients when compared to those with HFpEF were less likely to be female (OR 0.54) or have HTN (OR 0.68), and more likely to have CAD (OR 1.25), and to be treated with HF medications and statins.
Conclusions:
Patients with HFmrEF have higher SBP and better NYHA-FC (I and II) compared to HFrEF patients and are less likely to be female and more likely to have CAD compared to HFpEF patients. Further research is needed to help guide management in this unique but clinically important population.
Figure 1A. Forest plot of adjusted ORs comparing baseline clinical characteristics of HFrEF vs HFmrEF patients
Figure 1B. Forest plot of adjusted ORs comparing baseline clinical characteristics of HFmrEF vs HFpEF patients
Figure 2A. Forest plot of adjusted ORs comparing medications used in HFrEF vs HFmrEF patients
Figure 2B. Forest plot of adjusted ORs comparing medications used in HFmrEF vs HFpEF patients
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
