Critical Analysis and Limitations of the Diagnosis of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)

Abstract

With the increase in the population’s life expectancy and the higher frequency of risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, an increase in the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is expected. However, to date, the diagnosis and treatment of patients with HFpEF remain challenging. The syndromic diagnosis of HFpEF includes several etiologies and diseases with specific treatments but has points in common regarding the clinical presentation, laboratory evaluation related to biomarkers, such as BNP and NT-ProBNP, and echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic filling pressures. Extensive randomized clinical trials involving the treatment of this condition have failed to demonstrate benefits to the patient, making it necessary to reflect on the diagnosis, mechanisms of morbidity, mortality and reversibility in this syndrome. In this review, the current concepts, controversies and challenges, especially regarding diagnosis, will be addressed, critically analyzing the European Heart Failure Association score for the diagnosis of HFpEF.