scholarly journals Treatment of Heart Failure with Mid-Range Ejection Fraction: What Is the Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 203
Author(s):  
Eleni-Evangelia Koufou ◽  
Angelos Arfaras-Melainis ◽  
Sahil Rawal ◽  
Andreas P. Kalogeropoulos

In this review, we briefly outline our current knowledge on the epidemiology, outcomes, and pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and discuss in more depth the evidence on current treatment options for this group of patients. In most studies, the clinical background of patients with HFmrEF is intermediate between that of patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and patients with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in terms of demographics and comorbid conditions. However, the current evidence, stemming from observational studies and post hoc analyses of randomized controlled trials, suggests that patients with HFmrEF benefit from medications that target the neurohormonal axes, a pathophysiological behavior that resembles that of HFrEF. Use of β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and sacubitril/valsartan is reasonable in patients with HFmrEF, whereas evidence is currently scarce for other therapies. In clinical practice, patients with HFmrEF are treated more like HFrEF patients, potentially because of history of systolic dysfunction that has partially recovered. Assessment of left ventricular systolic function with contemporary noninvasive modalities, e.g., echocardiographic strain imaging, is promising for the selection of patients with HFmrEF who will benefit from neurohormonal antagonists and other HFrEF-targeted therapies.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Borrelli ◽  
P Sciarrone ◽  
F Gentile ◽  
N Ghionzoli ◽  
G Mirizzi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Central apneas (CA) and obstructive apneas (OA) are highly prevalent in heart failure (HF) both with reduced and preserved systolic function. However, a comprehensive evaluation of apnea prevalence across HF according to ejection fraction (i.e HF with patients with reduced, mid-range and preserved ejection fraction- HFrEf, HFmrEF and HFpEF, respectively) throughout the 24 hours has never been done before. Materials and methods 700 HF patients were prospectively enrolled and then divided according to left ventricular EF (408 HFrEF, 117 HFmrEF, 175 HFpEF). All patients underwent a thorough evaluation including: 2D echocardiography; 24-h Holter-ECG monitoring; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; neuro-hormonal assessment and 24-h cardiorespiratory monitoring. Results In the whole population, prevalence of normal breathing (NB), CA and OA at daytime was 40%, 51%, and 9%, respectively, while at nighttime 15%, 55%, and 30%, respectively. When stratified according to left ventricular EF, CA prevalence decreased from HFrEF to HFmrEF and HFpEF: (daytime CA: 57% vs. 43% vs. 42%, respectively, p=0.001; nighttime CA: 66% vs. 48% vs. 34%, respectively, p<0.0001), while OA prevalence increased (daytime OA: 5% vs. 8% vs. 18%, respectively, p<0.0001; nighttime OA: 20 vs. 29 vs. 53%, respectively, p<0.0001). When assessing moderte-severe apneas, defined with an apnea/hypopnea index >15 events/hour, prevalence of CA was again higher in HFrEF than HFmrEF and HFpEF both at daytime (daytime moderate-severe CA: 28% vs. 19% and 23%, respectively, p<0.05) and at nighttime (nighttime moderate-severe CA: 50% vs. 39% and 28%, respectively, p<0.05). Conversely, moderate-severe OA decreased from HFrEF to HFmrEF to HFpEF both at daytime (daytime moderate-severe OA: 1% vs. 3% and 8%, respectively, p<0.05) and nighttime (noghttime moderate-severe OA: 10% vs. 11% and 30%, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusions Daytime and nighttime apneas, both central and obstructive in nature, are highly prevalent in HF regardless of EF. Across the whole spectrum of HF, CA prevalence increases and OA decreases as left ventricular systolic dysfunction progresses, both during daytime and nighttime. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas B. Gevaert ◽  
Katrien Lemmens ◽  
Christiaan J. Vrints ◽  
Emeline M. Van Craenenbroeck

Although the burden of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is increasing, there is no therapy available that improves prognosis. Clinical trials using beta blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, cardiac-targeting drugs that reduce mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), have had disappointing results in HFpEF patients. A new “whole-systems” approach has been proposed for designing future HFpEF therapies, moving focus from the cardiomyocyte to the endothelium. Indeed, dysfunction of endothelial cells throughout the entire cardiovascular system is suggested as a central mechanism in HFpEF pathophysiology. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of current knowledge regarding endothelial dysfunction in HFpEF. We discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to endothelial dysfunction and the extent, presence, and prognostic importance of clinical endothelial dysfunction in different vascular beds. We also consider implications towards exercise training, a promising therapy targeting system-wide endothelial dysfunction in HFpEF.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B S Yoo ◽  
M S Ahn ◽  
S J Lee ◽  
J W Son ◽  
J Y Kim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There are limited and conflicting data regarding the prognostic implication of guideline-directed therapy, especially in heart failure (HF) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus, this study evaluated the relationship between guideline adherence to recommended therapy at discharge and relevant 60-day clinical outcomes in acute HF patients with AF having reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and results Of 5,625 acute HF patients in the Korean Acute Heart Failure Registry, 2,071 with documented AF (HFrEF, n=986; HFpEF, n=1,085) were separately analysed. A guideline adherence score was calculated for the prescription of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and anticoagulants. In HFrEF patients with AF, there was significant trend of increase in mortality (p for trend <0.001) and composite endpoint (p for trend = 0.002) according to guideline adherence. Poor adherence was associated with a significantly high risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 4.75; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.77–12.74) and composite endpoint (HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.33–4.18). In HFpEF patients with AF, there was a significant increasing trend for rehospitalization (p for trend = 0.04) and composite endpoint (p for trend = 0.03). However, the beneficial effect of good guideline adherence was statistically non-significant for all clinical outcomes Conclusion Better adherence to guidelines was associated with a better 60-day prognosis in both HFrEF and HFpEF patients with AF. However, the beneficial effect of guideline adherence was more pronounced in HFrEF patients with AF.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry A Borlaug ◽  
Carolyn S Lam ◽  
Veronique Roger ◽  
Richard J Rodeheffer ◽  
Margaret M Redfield

Background Patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have diastolic dysfunction, but are traditionally considered to have normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function. However, ventricular remodeling can result in preservation of EF despite abnormal myocardial contractility. Methods We performed echo-Doppler characterization of LV chamber and myocardial systolic properties in a population-based study, comparing patients with HFpEF (N=244) to healthy controls (CON, N=617), and hypertensives without HF (HTN, N=719), then examined long term outcome. Results All subjects had a normal EF (>50%). However, systolic chamber function, measured by wall stress-corrected endocardial fractional shortening (sc-eFS), was impaired in HFpEF (96±12%) compared to both CON (100±8%, p<0.0001) and HTN (108±11%, p<0.0001). Myocardial contractility, assessed by wall stress-corrected midwall shortening (sc-mFS), was also reduced in HFpEF (91±13%) compared to CON (100±10%, p<0.0001) and HTN (105±12%, p<0.0001). HTN had increased sc-eFS and sc-mFS compared with both HFpEF and CON (p<0.0001). In HFpEF, impaired sc-mFS was associated with increased mortality, independent of age (Figure ), while EF and sc- eFS were not. Conclusions Despite preservation of EF, unselected HFpEF patients from the community have significantly impaired systolic chamber function and depressed myocardial contractility. Abnormal myocardial contractility in HFpEF is associated with increased mortality. These data suggest that myocardial systolic dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of HFpEF and may represent a potential therapeutic target.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 839-844
Author(s):  
O. N. Ogurkova ◽  
E. V. Kruchinkina ◽  
A. M. Gusakova ◽  
T. E. Suslova ◽  
V. V. Ryabov

The development and progression of heart failure is associated with a variety of pathophysiological mechanisms, of particular interest is the study of the inflammatory response as a fundamental link in the pathogenesis of CHF and its main component – decompensation. An open, non-randomized, prospective study was carried out to evaluate the clinical and morphological features of subclinical inflammation in patients with acute decompensation of ischemic chronic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. The study included 25 patients with decompensated ischemic CHF with left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% aged 35 to 75 years (60.12±9.3 y. o.). In this study the dynamics of the serum content of C-reactive protein (CRP), N-terminal fragment of the brain natriuretic peptide precursor protein (NT-proBNP), soluble ST2(sST2), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) was performed by multiplex immunoassay using the FLEXMAP 3D. All studied patients were divided into two groups depending on the diagnosed myocarditis: patients with no signs of myocarditis and patients with myocarditis. It was found that in the group of patients with diagnosed myocarditis there was an increased content of CRP, IGF-1R, IL-6 and IL-10, TNFα compared to the group of patients without myocarditis. The median concentrations of the NT-proBNP and sST2 in both groups did not differ. At the follow-up visit a year later, there was a decrease in the content of CRP, NT-proBNP, IL-6 in both groups. In the group of patients with myocarditis, an increase in the content of sST2, IGF-1R, IL-10 was observed. Thus, the study carried out in dynamics revealed significant differences in the degree of changes in the serum activity of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in patients with decompensated heart failure with systolic dysfunction with diagnosed myocarditis and in its absence. 


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4

Heart failure is a frequent and highly debilitating pathology. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, β‐ blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and valsartan/sacubitril have been shown to reduce mortality in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Recently, glifozines (SGLT‐2 inhibitors) have become another effective therapeutic option for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. The review presents the effects of SGLT‐2 inhibitors on the cardiovascular system and heart failure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-123
Author(s):  
Aashiq A. Shukkoor ◽  
Nimmy E. George ◽  
Shanmugasundaram Radhakrishnan ◽  
Sivakumar Velusamy ◽  
Tamilarasu kaliappan ◽  
...  

Background: The adoption of guideline recommendations of pharmacotherapy to improve the clinical course of Heart Failure (HF) remains below par. Our objective is to evaluate the impact of clinical audit on adherence to the Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) in patients admitted with acute heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF). Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted over a period of 12 months from June 2018 to May 2019 in all patients admitted with acute heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The discharge prescriptions of patients who met the inclusion criteria were audited for appropriateness in the usage of neurohormonal blockers and Ivabradine, by a clinical pharmacist on a monthly basis. Audit results were presented to the practicing physicians every month and feedback was given. Results: Discharge prescriptions of 716 patients who presented with HF were audited for the reasonable or unreasonable omission of neurohormonal blocking drugs. The first-month audit revealed that the unreasonable omission of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/ Angiotensin Receptor Blockers/ Angiotensin Receptor Neprilisin Inhibitors ( ACEI/ARB/ARNI), Betablockers and Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (MRA) were 24.5%, 13.1%, and 9.09% respectively, which reduced to nil at the end of the study period (p=0.00). Initiation of Ivabradine before prescribing or achieving the target dose of Betablocker was noted in 38.18% of patients in the first month, which was also reduced to nil (p=0.00) at the end of the study. Conclusion: This study reveals that periodic clinical audit improves adherence to GDMT in patients admitted with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.


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