Evolving role of myocardial fibrosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Abstract

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex clinical diagnosis with a heterogeneous pathophysiology and clinical presentation. The hallmark of HFpEF is diastolic dysfunction associated with left ventricular remodeling and fibrosis. Myocardial interstitial fibrosis (MIF) occurs as the result of collagen deposition and is dependent on the underlying etiology of heart failure. Detection of MIF can be done by invasive histopathologic sampling or by imaging. More recently, novel biomarkers have been investigated as an alternative tool for not only the detection of MIF but also for the prognostication of patients with HFpEF which may in turn alleviate the need for invasive and expensive imaging in the future.