Dilemas de la insuficiencia cardíaca con fracción de eyección preservada / Dilemmas of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction / Dilemas da insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção preservada

La insuficiencia cardíaca con fracción de eyección preservada (ICFEp) y reducida presentan marcadas diferencias. Mientras que la última tiene un algoritmo diagnóstico y terapéutico desde hace años, con guías y fármacos que mejoran su pronóstico, la ICFEp no solo presenta dificultades para llegar al diagnóstico, sino que tampoco hay fármacos que hayan demostrado disminuir la mortalidad. En esta revisión se hace un abordaje amplio de la ICFEp, comenzando por definirla y distinguirla de la disfunción diastólica. Se describe el gold standard para su diagnóstico invasivo y se analizan los scores no invasivos recientemente desarrollados que estiman la probabilidad de tener la enfermedad. A través del análisis de las comorbilidades frecuentemente asociadas, se describen los mecanismos fisiopatológicos implicados. Asimismo, se detallan los fenotipos propuestos para agrupar pacientes y diseñar ensayos clínicos con fármacos que prueben disminuir la mortalidad. Por último, se reseñan las medidas terapéuticas no farmacológicas y farmacológicas recomendadas.

Heart failure with preserved and reduced ejection fraction have significant differences. While the latter has had a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for years, with guidelines and drugs that improve its prognosis, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) not only presents difficulties in reaching a diagnosis, but also there are no drugs that have been proven to be effective in reducing mortality. In this review, a broad approach to HFpEF is made, beginning by defining it and distinguishing it from diastolic dysfunction. The gold standard for its invasive diagnosis is described and recently developed non-invasive scores that estimate the probability of having the disease are analyzed. Through the analysis of the frequently associated comorbidities, the pathophysiological mechanisms involved are described. Likewise, the phenotypes proposed to group patients and design clinical trials with drugs that try to reduce mortality are detailed. Finally, the recommended non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapeutic measures are outlined.

A insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEp) e reduzida apresentam diferenças marcantes. Enquanto esta última conta com um algoritmo diagnóstico e terapêutico há anos, com diretrizes e medicamentos que melhoram seu prognóstico, a ICFEp não só apresenta dificuldades no diagnóstico, mas nenhum há medicamentos que tenham demonstrado reduzir a mortalidade. Nesta revisão, é feita uma abordagem ampla da ICFEp, começando por defini-la e distinguindo-a da disfunção diastólica. O padrão ouro para seu diagnóstico invasivo é descrito e são analisados os escores não invasivos recentemente desenvolvidos que estimam a probabilidade de ter a doença. Através da análise de comorbidades frequentemente associadas, são descritos os mecanismos fisiopatológicos envolvidos. Da mesma forma, são detalhados os fenótipos propostos para agrupar pacientes e desenhar ensaios clínicos com medicamentos que podem ser mostradas para reduzir a mortalidade. Por fim, são delineadas as medidas terapêuticas não farmacológicas e farmacológicas recomendadas.

[Update on diastolic heart failure]. / Update zur diastolisch bedingten Herzinsuffizienz.

In August 2021, an update of the European Society of Cardiology-Heart Failure Association guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure was released. To review the changes implied by current guidelines regarding the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF). The diagnosis of HFpEF requires the combined presence of clinical signs, left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%, elevated natriuretic peptides, and elevated left ventricular filling pressure. If the diagnosis remains equivocal, a stress test is recommended. The targeted identification and treatment of comorbid conditions is key for a holistic therapeutic approach to HFpEF. Diuretics are recommended in congested patients with HFpEF in order to alleviate signs and symptoms. The treatment of diabetic patients with heart failure should include a sodium glucose co-transporter­2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. All patients with HFpEF should be enrolled in a multidisciplinary heart failure management program aiming to improve self-care strategies and offer participation in an exercise program. It was recently shown for the first time in a randomized trial that hard clinical endpoints could be reduced in patients with HFpEF using the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin. It is expected that this finding will become part of updated treatment recommendations in the near future. Although challenging, the early diagnosis of HFpEF is key to averting the poor prognosis associated with this frequent condition. Multidisciplinary care and innovative pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies, however, can improve quality of life, exercise tolerance, and prognosis.

Energetic Basis for Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Congestion in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Transient pulmonary congestion during exercise is emerging as an important determinant of reduced exercise capacity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We sought to determine whether an abnormal cardiac energetic state underpins this process. METHODS: We recruited patients across the spectrum of diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF (controls, n=11; type 2 diabetes, n=9; HFpEF, n=14; and severe diastolic dysfunction attributable to cardiac amyloidosis, n=9). Cardiac energetics were measured using phosphorus spectroscopy to define the myocardial phosphocreatine to ATP ratio. Cardiac function was assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance cine imaging and echocardiography and lung water using magnetic resonance proton density mapping. Studies were performed at rest and during submaximal exercise using a magnetic resonance imaging ergometer. RESULTS: Paralleling the stepwise decline in diastolic function across the groups (E/e' ratio; P<0.001) was an increase in NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide; P<0.001) and a reduction in phosphocreatine/ATP ratio (control, 2.15 [2.09, 2.29]; type 2 diabetes, 1.71 [1.61, 1.91]; HFpEF, 1.66 [1.44, 1.89]; cardiac amyloidosis, 1.30 [1.16, 1.53]; P<0.001). During 20-W exercise, lower left ventricular diastolic filling rates (r=0.58; P<0.001), lower left ventricular diastolic reserve (r=0.55; P<0.001), left atrial dilatation (r=-0.52; P<0.001), lower right ventricular contractile reserve (right ventricular ejection fraction change, r=0.57; P<0.001), and right atrial dilation (r=-0.71; P<0.001) were all linked to lower phosphocreatine/ATP ratio. Along with these changes, pulmonary proton density mapping revealed transient pulmonary congestion in patients with HFpEF (+4.4% [0.5, 6.4]; P=0.002) and cardiac amyloidosis (+6.4% [3.3, 10.0]; P=0.004), which was not seen in healthy controls (-0.1% [-1.9, 2.1]; P=0.89) or type 2 diabetes without HFpEF (+0.8% [-1.7, 1.9]; P=0.82). The development of exercise-induced pulmonary congestion was associated with lower phosphocreatine/ATP ratio (r=-0.43; P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: A gradient of myocardial energetic deficit exists across the spectrum of HFpEF. Even at low workload, this energetic deficit is related to markedly abnormal exercise responses in all 4 cardiac chambers, which is associated with detectable pulmonary congestion. The findings support an energetic basis for transient pulmonary congestion in HFpEF.

Clinical performance and exercise hemodynamics in patients with severe secondary tricuspid regurgitation and chronic atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the functional capacity and hemodynamics at rest and during exercise in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and severe functional symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation (AF-FTR). BACKGROUND: Symptoms and clinical performance of severe AF-FTR mimic the population of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Severe AF-FTR is known to be associated with an adverse prognosis whereas less is reported about the clinical performance including exercise capacity and hemodynamics in patients symptomatic AF-FTR. METHODS: Right heart catheterization (RHC) at rest and during exercise was conducted in a group of patients with stable chronic AF-TR and compared with a group of patients with HFpEF diagnosed with cardiac amyloid cardiomyopathy (CA). All patients had preserved ejection fraction and no significant left-sided disease. RESULTS: Patients with AF-FTR demonstrated a low exercise capacity that was comparable to CA patients (TR 4.9 ± 1.2 METS vs. CA 4. 7 ± 1.5 METS; P = 0.78) with an average peak maximal oxygen consumption of 15 mL/min/kg. Right atrium pressure increased significantly more in the AF-FTR patients as compared to CA patients at peak exercise (25 ± 8 vs 19 ± 9, p < 0.01) whereas PCWP increased significantly to a similar extent in both groups (31 ± 4 vs 31 ± 8 mmHg, p = 0.88). Cardiac output (CO) was significantly lower among AF-FTR at rest as compared to CA patients (3.6 ± 0.9 vs 4.4 ± 1.3 l/min; p < 0.05) whereas both groups demonstrated a poor but comparable CO reserve at peak exercise (7.3 ± 2.9 vs 7.9 ± 3.8 l/min, p = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: AF-FTR contributes to the development of advanced heart failure symptoms and poor exercise capacity reflected in increased atrial filling pressures, reduced cardiac output at rest and during exercise sharing common features seen in HFpEF patients with other etiologies.

Transcatheter Interatrial Shunts for the Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Abstract Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinical syndrome, which accounts for about 50% of patients with heart failure (HF). The morbidity and mortality associated with HFpEF is similar to HFrEF. Clinical trials to date have failed to show a benefit of medical therapy for HFpEF, which may due to lack of uniform phenotypes and heterogeneous population. In addition, medical therapy proven for HFrEF may not address the pathophysiologic basis for HFpEF. Left atrial remodeling and dysfunction is central to HFpEF and accounts for secondary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular congestion that frequently occurs with exertion. Interatrial shunts represent a novel treatment modality for HFpEF. These shunts allow for left atrial decongestion and a reduction in pulmonary venous hypertension during exercise leading to improvements in hemodynamics, functional status and quality of life. Trials to date have demonstrated safety and short-term efficacy of these devices for HFpEF. The long-term benefits are currently being evaluated in ongoing trials. If effective, the use of interatrial shunts may be a new therapeutic paradigm for the treatment of HFpEF.

Impact of Sirolimus as a Primary Immunosuppressant on Myocardial Fibrosis and Diastolic Function Following Heart Transplantation.

Background Myocardial fibrosis is an important contributor for development of diastolic dysfunction. We investigated the impact of sirolimus as primary immunosuppression on diastolic dysfunction and fibrosis progression among heart transplantation recipients. Methods and Results In 100 heart transplantation recipients who were either treated with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) (n=51) or converted from CNI to sirolimus (n=49), diastolic function parameters were assessed using serial echocardiograms and right heart catheterizations. Myocardial fibrosis was quantified on serial myocardial biopsies. After 3 years, lateral e' increased within the sirolimus group but decreased in the CNI group (0.02±0.04 versus -0.02±0.04 m/s delta change; P=0.003, respectively). Both pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and diastolic pulmonary artery pressure significantly decreased in the sirolimus group but remained unchanged in the CNI group (-1.50±2.59 versus 0.20±2.20 mm Hg/year; P=0.02; and -1.72±3.39 versus 0.82±2.59 mm Hg/year; P=0.005, respectively). A trend for increased percentage of fibrosis was seen in the sirolimus group (8.48±3.17 to 10.10±3.0%; P=0.07) as compared with marginally significant progression in the CNI group (8.76±3.87 to 10.56±4.34%; P=0.04). The percent change in fibrosis did not differ significantly between the groups (1.62±4.67 versus 1.80±5.31%, respectively; P=0.88). Conclusions Early conversion to sirolimus is associated with improvement in diastolic dysfunction and filling pressures as compared with CNI therapy. Whether this could be attributed to attenuation of myocardial fibrosis progression with sirolimus treatment warrants further investigation.

Prognosis of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Primary Care by the H2FPEF Score

Abstract Background: Primary care physicians have difficulty dealing with patients who have HF with preserved LVEF(HFpEF). The prognosis of HFpEF is poor, and difficult to predict on primary care. Objective: The aim of the study is to apply the H2FPEF score to primary care patients and verify its power to assess the risk of death or hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease. Methods: This longitudinal study included 402 individuals, with signs or symptoms of HF, aged≥45 years and, underwent an evaluation which included clinical examination, BNP and echocardiogram. The diagnosis of HFpEF was confirmed by the criteria of the European Society of Cardiology. After five years, the patients were reassessed as to the occurrence of the composite outcome, death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiovascular disease. H2FPEF used six variables: body mass index, medications for hypertension, age, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, atrial fibrillation and E/e' ratio ranged from 0 to 9 points. The level of statistical significance was p<0.05. Results: HFpEF was diagnosed in 58(14.4%). Among patients with H2FPEF≥4, 30% had HFpEF and in those with a score≤4, HFpEF was present in 12%. Patients with HFpEF and H2FPEF≥4 had 53% of outcomes, whereas patients with HFpEF and a score ≤4 had a 21% of outcomes. BNP values were higher in patients with HFpEF compared to those without HFpEF(p<0.0001). Conclusion: H2FPEF≥4 indicated a worse prognosis in patients with HFpEF assisted in primary care. H2FPEF may be a simple and useful tool for risk stratification in patients with HFpEF at the primary care.

Preoperative Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction Is Associated with Pulmonary Edema after Carotid Endarterectomy.

This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the association between preoperative left ventricular (LV) cardiac function and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary edema (PE) in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Most patients undergoing CEA for carotid artery stenosis have concomitant heart diseases, leading to hemodynamic instability that can cause postoperative cardiac complications such as cardiac heart failure. LV diastolic function has recently been recognized as an independent predictor of adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. We analyzed clinical data from the anesthetic and medical records of 149 consecutive patients who underwent CEA at our university hospital between March 2012 and March 2018. LV systolic and diastolic function were evaluated by ejection fraction and the ratio of LV early diastolic filling velocity to the peak velocity of mitral medial annulus (E/e'). Postoperative PE was diagnosed based on chest X-ray and arterial gas analysis by two independent physicians. Postoperative PE was developed in four patients (2.8%). Patients with postoperative PE were not related to preoperative low ventricular ejection fraction, but had a significantly higher E/e' ratio than those without PE (P = 0.01). Furthermore, there was an increasing trend of PE according to the E/e' category. Preoperative LV diastolic function evaluated by E/e' was associated with the development of postoperative PE in patients who underwent CEA. The results suggest that the evaluation of LV diastolic dysfunction could be possibly useful to predict PE in patients undergoing CEA.

The 2016 ASE/EACVI recommendations may be able to more accurately identify patients at risk for diastolic dysfunction in living donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction between the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and 2009 ASE/European Association of Echocardiography recommendations in patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 312 adult patients who underwent LDLT at our hospital from January 2010 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Exclusion criteria were systolic dysfunction, arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, and mitral or aortic valvular insufficiency. RESULTS: The study population was largely male (68.3%), and the median age was 54 (49-59) years. The median model for end-stage liver disease score was 12 (6-22) points. A predominant difference in the prevalence rates of diastolic dysfunction was observed between the two recommendations. The prevalence rates of diastolic dysfunction and indeterminate diastolic function were lower according to the 2016 recommendations than the 2009 recommendations. The level of concordance between the two recommendations was poor. The proportion of patients with a high brain natriuretic peptide level (> 100 pg/mL) decreased significantly during surgery in the normal and indeterminate groups according to the 2009 recommendations; however, only the normal group showed an intraoperative decrease in the proportion according to the 2016 recommendations. Patients with diastolic dysfunction showed a poorer overall-survival rate than those with normal function according to both recommendations. However, there was a difference in the survival rate in the indeterminate group between the two recommendations. A significant difference in patient survival rate was observed between the dysfunction and indeterminate groups according to the 2009 recommendations; however, the difference was not significant in the 2016 recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The 2016 classification may be better able to identify patients with a risk for diastolic dysfunction. Particularly, patients in the 2016 indeterminate group seemed to require a cardiac diastolic functional evaluation more frequently during and after surgery than those in the 2009 indeterminate group.

Utility of the FRAIL Questionnaire in Detecting Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

OBJECTIVE: To test the utility of the FRAIL questionnaire as a screening tool for heart failure. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: Chinese older people in Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS: Participants aged 60 years and over were recruited from a territory-wide primary care needs assessment for older people based in community centers as well as two nonacute hospitals. MEASUREMENTS: Questionnaire administered included the five-item FRAIL scale, and information regarding sociodemographic data, smoking and alcohol use, history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and heart failure symptoms. Handgrip strength, walking speed and 6 minute walk distance were recorded. Cardiac assessment included electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and blood assay for N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). RESULTS: The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction was high, being 52% in the robust group, increasing to 65% in the pre-frail and 85% in the frail group. This finding is accompanied by a corresponding increase in NT-proBNP from 64.18 pg/ml in the robust group, to 118.57 pg/ml in the pre-frail and 167.98 pg/ml in the frail group. Three of the five components of the FRAIL scale, fatigue, resistance and ambulation, were associated with increased odds ratios of diastolic dysfunction among those aged 75 years and older, while resistance alone was associated with increased odds ratio among those less than 75 years old. CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and frailty screening may be used to detect undiagnosed HFpEF. The findings support the proposal that HFpEF be considered a geriatric syndrome.

Diastolic heart failure associated with hemangiosarcoma infiltrating left ventricular walls in a dog.

A 9-year-old Shetland sheepdog was diagnosed with cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Echocardiography revealed focally thickened left ventricular free wall and interventricular septum and left atrial dilation. Left ventricular systolic function was preserved. Doppler echocardiography of transmitral flow indicated restrictive left ventricular filling. Cardiac histopathology demonstrated hemangiosarcoma infiltrating the left ventricular walls.

Insuffisance cardiaque diastolique associée à l'infiltration d'un hémangiosarcome dans les parois ventriculaires gauches chez un chien. Un chien berger des Shetlands âgé de 9 ans a été diagnostiqué avec un oedème pulmonaire cardiogénique. L'échocardiographie a révélé un épaississement focal de la paroi libre du ventricule gauche et du septum interventriculaire et une dilatation atriale gauche.. La fonction systolique ventriculaire gauche était préservée. L'échographie Doppler de l'écoulement transmitral indiquait un remplissage ventriculaire gauche restreint. L'histopathologie cardiaque a démontré l'infiltration des parois ventriculaires gauches par l'hémangiosarcome.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Constrictive Pericarditis: A Practical Clinical Approach.

Constrictive pericarditis (CP) represents a form of severe diastolic heart failure (HF), secondary to a noncompliant pericardium. The true prevalence of CP is unknown but it is observed in 0.2-0.4% of patients who have undergone cardiac surgery or have had pericardial trauma or inflammation due to a variety of etiologies. Despite its poor prognosis if untreated, CP is a potentially curable disease and surgical pericardiectomy can now be performed at low perioperative mortality in tertiary centers with surgical expertise in pericardial diseases. Cardiologists should have a high index of suspicion for CP in patients presenting with predominant right-sided (HF), particularly when a history of cardiac surgery, pericarditis or pericardial effusion is present. Transthoracic two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography is usually the first diagnostic tool in the evaluation of HF and can reliably identify CP in most patients by characteristic real-time motion of the heart and hemodynamic features. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging provide incremental data for the diagnosis and management of CP and are especially helpful when clinical or echocardiographic findings are inconclusive. Cardiac catheterization has been the gold-standard for the diagnosis of CP, but may not be necessary if non-invasive test(s) demonstrate diagnostic features of CP; it should then be reserved for selected cases or for assessment of concomitant coronary disease. Although most patients with CP require pericardiectomy, anti-inflammatory therapy may be curative in patients presenting with subacute symptoms, especially when evidence of marked ongoing inflammation is seen.

Novel Biomarkers of Cardiac Stress, Cardiovascular Dysfunction, and Outcomes in HIV-Infected Individuals.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether biomarkers ST2, growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity troponin I are elevated in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and are associated with cardiovascular dysfunction and all-cause mortality. BACKGROUND: HIV-infected patients have high rates of cardiovascular disease. Markers of myocardial stress may identify at-risk patients and provide additional prognostic information. METHODS: Biomarkers and echocardiograms were assessed in 332 HIV-infected patients and 50 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was defined as ejection fraction <50%, diastolic dysfunction (DD) as stage 1 or higher, and pulmonary hypertension as pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥35 mm Hg. Mortality data were obtained from the National Death Index. RESULTS: Patients with HIV had a median age of 49 years, and 80% were male. Compared with control subjects, HIV-infected patients had higher adjusted percent estimates of all biomarkers except ST2 and interleukin-6. Among HIV-infected patients, 45% had DD; only ST2 was associated with DD (relative risk [RR]: 1.36; p = 0.047). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was rare in this cohort (5%). Pulmonary hypertension was present in 27% of HIV-infected patients and was associated with GDF-15 (RR: 1.18; p = 0.04), NT-proBNP (RR: 1.18; p = 0.007), and cystatin C (RR: 1.54; p = 0.03). Thirty-eight deaths occurred among HIV-infected patients over a median of 6.1 years. In adjusted analysis, all-cause mortality was independently predicted by ST2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.04; p = 0.010), GDF-15 (HR: 1.42; p = 0.0054), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HR: 1.25; p = 0.023), and D-dimer (HR: 1.49; p = 0.029). Relationships were unchanged when analyses were restricted to virally suppressed HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Among HIV-infected patients, ST2 and GDF-15 were associated with both cardiovascular dysfunction and all-cause mortality, and these variables may be useful at identifying those at risk for developing cardiovascular events and death.

Association between diastolic dysfunction and future atrial fibrillation in the Tromsø Study from 1994 to 2010.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between echocardiographic measurements with emphasis on diastolic dysfunction and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a population-based cohort study. METHODS: We followed 2406 participants from the Tromsø Study from 1994 to 2010. Left atrial (LA) size and mitral Doppler indices as measured by echocardiography were used for evaluating diastolic dysfunction. Information concerning age, systolic blood pressure, height, heart rate, body mass index, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, self-reported use of alcohol, smoking, coffee, physical activity, antihypertensive treatment, prevalent coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, heart failure, hypertrophy, diabetes and palpitations were obtained at baseline. The outcome measure was clinical AF, documented by an ECG. RESULTS: AF was detected in 462 subjects (193 women). Mean age at baseline was 62.6 years. Incidence rate of clinical AF was 12.6 per 1000 person-years. In multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, moderately enlarged LA was associated with 60% (95% CI 1.2 to 2.0) increased risk of AF. Severely enlarged LA had HR for AF of 4.2 (95% CI 2.7 to 6.5) with p value for linear trend <0.001, and the association was similar in both sexes. Abnormal mitral Doppler flow adjusted for predictor variables did not show a statistically significant association with AF risk. However, when LA size was also adjusted for, the risk of AF increased by 30% (95% CI 1.0 to 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that enlarged LA as a measure for diastolic dysfunction is a significant risk factor for AF in both sexes, and adding measures of abnormal diastolic flow increased the predictive ability significantly.

Exaggerated inflammation and monocytosis associate with diastolic dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: evidence of M2 macrophage activation in disease pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is a major health problem associated with myocardial leukocyte infiltration, inflammation, and fibrosis. Monocyte and macrophage subsets play a role in HFPEF but have not been studied. We analyzed peripheral blood monocyte phenotype and plasma markers of monocyte activation in patients with HFPEF, asymptomatic LV diastolic dysfunction (aLVDD), and asymptomatic hypertension (aHTN). METHODS AND RESULTS: Peripheral blood was collected from 23 aHTN, 30 aLVDD, and 30 HFPEF patients. Peripheral cytokines of classic/pro-inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL) 12, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, C-X-C motif chemokine 10) and alternative/anti-inflammatory monocytes (chemokine-C-C motif ligand (CCL) 17, CCL-18, soluble CD163) were increased in aLVDD and HFPEF. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocytes were purified and surface-stained for CD14, CD16, CD163, and CD206. Peripheral monocyte percentage was increased in aLVDD and HFPEF and correlated with echocardiographic LVDD indices. Classic/pro-inflammatory monocyte numbers were increased in aLVDD and HFPEF, and alternative/anti-inflammatory monocyte numbers were increased in HFPEF. CD163 M2-macrophage receptor was reduced in HFPEF. Culture of healthy donor monocytes (n = 3) with HFPEF patient-derived sera (n = 6) promoted M2 macrophage features as evidenced by altered morphology and genes (CD206, IL-10). CONCLUSIONS: Increased peripheral inflammation, monocytosis, and monocyte differentiation to anti-inflammatory/profibrotic M2 macrophages likely associate with HFPEF and its precedent asymptomatic LVDD phase.

Diastolic dysfunction, diagnostic and perioperative management in cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The review focuses on recent findings on the role of diastolic dysfunction in the perioperative period and on recent advances in the diagnosis and perioperative management of diastolic function. RECENT FINDINGS: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is an underestimated disease with a high risk for acute decompensation in the perioperative period. It has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac or noncardiac procedures. Recent advancements in the diagnosis of diastolic function have limited intraoperative applicability. Due to the lack of disease-specific therapies, perioperative management is preventive and symptomatic. SUMMARY: Appropriate perioperative patient care requires that the perioperative physician be alerted to the presence of diastolic dysfunction, be knowledgeable of the diastolic dysfunction grading system and understand the pathophysiologic changes associated with various grades of diastolic function.