Pulmonary hypertension in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A plea for proper phenotyping and further research

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common disease affecting the elderly in particular. Up to 80% of these patients develop pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is associated with worse symptoms and increased mortality.1 It is a matter of concern that drugs approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are sometimes used in such patients despite insufficient data for their safety and efficacy. On the other hand, the impact of PH and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on morbidity and mortality in HFpEF call for proper attention both at the clinical and scientific level. Here we discuss the clinical problem, pathophysiology, diagnostic shortfalls, gaps in evidence, and future strategies for PH-HFpEF.