Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Improving Diagnosis and Management
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, diastolic heart failure) is equally as common as heart
failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, systolic heart failure). HFpEF is an emerging epidemic, due to the
increasing age of the population and increasing incidence of risk factors such as obesity and hypertension.
Recognition of the typical signs and symptoms of heart failure in the setting of specific echocardiographic
features is key to diagnosis. The diagnosis can be confirmed with exercise right heart catheterisation.
Key principles of management are blood pressure control, physical activity, optimisation of comorbidities
and judicious volume management. Few therapies are effective at reducing morbidity or mortality in HFpEF
at present. Active research is under way to develop appropriate diagnostic and management strategies.
Modern Medicine – October 2017
