New echocardiographic parameters in the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a serious clinical disease. The pathophysiology of HFpEF is complex, and specific diagnostic criteria have evolved over time. Limited data are available on the quantification of diastolic function using two-dimensional real-time echocardiography, and a simple parameter has not yet been established. The aim of this work is to evaluate new echocardiographic parameters-the diastolic wall strain of the posterior wall (DWS PW) and the vortex formation time (VFT). Echocardiographic data from 111 subjects with exertional dyspnea and normal left ejection fraction (Group A) and 20 healthy volunteers (Group B) were retrospectively evaluated. In addition to the standard parameters used in the diagnosis of HFpEF, DWS PW and VFT were assessed in all patients. HFpEF was diagnosed in 38 patients with dyspnea (Group A1). The remaining 73 patients did not meet the established criteria for a positive diagnosis of HFpEF (Group A2). We discovered that both observed parameters were significantly lower in patients with HFpEF than in other groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that both DWS PW and VFT independently predicted the presence of HFpEF. DWS PW and VFT are simple parameters in the evaluation of diastolic function and may play a potential role as a part of an integrated approach to the assessment of HFpEF.

Ventricular dyssynchrony assessment using ultra-high frequency ECG technique.

PURPOSE: The aim of this proof-of-concept study is to introduce new high-dynamic ECG technique with potential to detect temporal-spatial distribution of ventricular electrical depolarization and to assess the level of ventricular dyssynchrony. METHODS: 5-kHz 12-lead ECG data was collected. The amplitude envelopes of the QRS were computed in an ultra-high frequency band of 500-1000 Hz and were averaged (UHFQRS). UHFQRS V lead maps were compiled, and numerical descriptor identifying ventricular dyssynchrony (UHFDYS) was detected. RESULTS: An electrical UHFQRS maps describe the ventricular dyssynchrony distribution in resolution of milliseconds and correlate with strain rate results obtained by speckle tracking echocardiography. The effect of biventricular stimulation is demonstrated by the UHFQRS morphology and by the UHFDYS descriptor in selected examples. CONCLUSIONS: UHFQRS offers a new and simple technique for assessing electrical activation patterns in ventricular dyssynchrony with a temporal-spatial resolution that cannot be obtained by processing standard surface ECG. The main clinical potential of UHFQRS lies in the identification of differences in electrical activation among CRT candidates and detection of improvements in electrical synchrony in patients with biventricular pacing.

The unique value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome and culprit-free coronary angiograms.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chest pain, elevated troponin, and unobstructed coronary disease present a clinical dilemma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incremental diagnostic value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a cohort of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and unobstructed coronary arteries. RESULTS: Data files of patients meeting the inclusion criteria in two cardiology centres were searched and analysed. The inclusion criteria included: 1) thoracic pain suspected with ACS; 2) a significant increase in the high-sensitive Troponin T value; 3) ECG changes; 4) coronary arteries without any significant stenosis; 5) a CMR examination included in the diagnostic process; 6) an uncertain diagnosis before the CMR exam; and 7) the absence of known CMR and contrast media contraindications. Special attention was paid to the benefits of CMR in determining the final diagnosis. In total, 136 patients who underwent coronary angiography for chest pain were analysed. The most frequent underlying causes were myocarditis (38%) and perimyocarditis (18%), followed by angiographically unrecognised acute myocardial infarction (18%) and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (15%). The final diagnosis remained unclear in 6% of the patients. The contribution of CMR in determining the final diagnosis determination was crucial in 57% of the patients. In another 35% of the patients, CMR confirmed the suspicion and, only 8% of the CMR examinations did not help at all and had no influence on diagnosis or treatment. CONCLUSION: CMR provided a powerful incremental diagnostic value in the cohort of patients with suspected ACS and unobstructed coronary arteries. CMR is highly recommended to be incorporated as an inalienable part of the diagnostic algorithms in these patients.

Prevalence and Predictors of Early Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased risk of diastolic dysfunction and heart failure. The purpose of this study was to identify independent predictors of early (ie, only exercise-induced) heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and to describe the prevalence of early HFpEF among patients with paroxysmal AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred patients with paroxysmal AF and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) underwent catheterization for left atrial pressure (LAP) measurements at rest and at the peak of arm exercise (LAP-exe). Based on resting and exercise LAP values, the patients were divided into 3 groups. Sixty-one patients had no evidence of HFpEF (LAP at rest ≤15 mm Hg, LAP-exe <25 mm Hg). Twenty-five subjects had early HFpEF (LAP at rest ≤15 mm Hg, LAP-exe ≥25 mm Hg, prevalence 25%). Fourteen patients already had HFpEF at rest (LAP at rest >15 mm Hg). Multivariate exact logistic regression analysis identified age ≥58 years, LAP at rest ≥11 mm Hg, and peak systolic mitral annular velocity ≤9.3 cm/s to be independent predictors of early HFpEF. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with paroxysmal AF and preserved LVEF, there appears to be a clinically significant prevalence of early HFpEF.

Improvement in the prediction of exercise-induced elevation of left ventricular filling pressure in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive diagnosis of exercise-induced elevation of left ventricular filling pressure is difficult and remains unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the ratio of early diastolic transmitral (E) to mitral annular (e') velocity and to determine new parameters or parameter combinations with the ability to predict exercise-induced left atrial pressure (LAP) elevation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) referred for catheter AF ablation underwent simultaneous exercise echocardiography and direct invasive LAP measurements, as well as a resting and postexercise biomarker analysis. Exercise E/e' ≥8.85 predicted exercise LAP ≥20 mm Hg with 61.5% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity (area under the curve [AUC], 0.76). Of all of the individual parameters tested, the best prediction was achieved with exercise E/s' (s'=peak systolic mitral annular velocity) ≥8.75 (sensitivity, 88.5%; specificity, 64.8%; positive predictive value, 54.8%; negative predictive value, 92.1%; AUC, 0.84). However, the combination of exercise E/A (A = late diastolic transmitral flow velocity) ≥1.22 + exercise E/e' ≥8.85 + exercise s'≤11.05 cm/s provided the most precise prediction of exercise LAP elevation (sensitivity, 84.6%; specificity, 79.6%; positive predictive value, 66.7%; negative predictive value, 91.5%; AUC, 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise E/e', when used as a sole parameter, was not sufficiently reliable to predict exercise-induced elevation of LAP. The application of a multivariate-adjusted combination of parameters appeared to be the preferable approach for the noninvasive prediction of exercise LAP elevation.

Longitudinal, circumferential and radial systolic left ventricular function in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFPEF) is an epidemiologically serious disease. Noninvasive diagnosis of HFPEF remains challenging. The current diagnosis is based on evidence of diastolic dysfunction, albeit systolic dysfunction is also present but not included in the diagnostic algorithm. The aim of this study was to analyze the longitudinal (long), circumferential (circ) and radial (rad) component of systolic left ventricular (LV) function in patients with exertional dyspnea of unexplained etiology and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-two patients with exertional dyspnea of unexplained etiology and normal LVEF and 21 healthy controls, underwent echocardiography examination at rest and at the end of symptom-limited exercise. We analysed the longitudinal, circumferential and radial deformation of myocardium using two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in all subjects. RESULTS: Patients with exertional dyspnea and preserved LVEF were divided into group A1 (46 patients meeting the criteria for the diagnosis HFPEF) and group A2 (76 patients without HFPEF). Group A1 had significantly worse longitudinal and circumferential systolic LV function than group A2. Subjects in group A1 compared to group A2 showed significantly different strain rates during atrial contraction (SR A), circ and ratio of peak early trans-mitral flow velocity (E) and strain rate E wave (E / SR E) circ. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the SR parameter A circ is an independent predictor of HFPEF (odds ratio 0.550, 95% confidence interval: 0.370 - 0.817, P value 0.003). CONCLUSION: Longitudinal and circumferential LV deformation was significantly more impaired in patients with HFPEF than in patients with exertional dyspnea without HFPEF. In patients with exertional dyspnea and normal LVEF, the value of SRA circ appears to be a significant and independent predictor of HFPEF. This parameter may, in the future complement the diagnostic algorithm for HFPEF.

Can biomarkers help to diagnose early heart failure with preserved ejection fraction?

Early heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a frequent disease, but its diagnosis is difficult and relies mostly on the evidence of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) elevation during exercise. Several reports have suggested that natriuretic peptides plasma levels reflect exercise-induced increase in LVFP, but they still have significant limitations. In this context, any new laboratory biomarker that can accurately reflect LVFP elevation during exercise is desirable. Recently, cardiotrophin-1, soluble endoglin, ST2, growth differentiation factor 15, galectin-3, and other new laboratory markers associated with LVFP have emerged. However, the current data on the relationship of these biomarkers and diastolic dysfunction are limited to resting conditions. Therefore, their secretion deserves to be tested under the exercise to determine their potential role in making a diagnosis of early HFpEF.

Can we diagnose isolated, exercise-induced heart failure with normal ejection fraction?

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of patients with exertional dyspnea require exercise to diagnose heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: In this review article, we evaluate current data on the prevalence, clinical significance and specifically the establishment of a diagnosis of isolated, exercise-induced HFNEF. Despite the unquestioned clinical importance and high prevalence of exercise-induced HFNEF, there are limited and conflicting data on making a diagnosis of exercise-induced HFNEF. This mostly relies on the evidence of exercise-induced elevation in left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP). At present, there is no agreement on the ability of exercise echocardiographic parameteres to predict exercise-induced LVFP elevation. In addition, even invasively measured exercise LVFP faces the problem of defining normal exercise LVFP values. More data and probably new diagnostic approaches are necessary to reliably diagnose exercise HFNEF. CONCLUSIONS: There are conflicting results and significant problems associated with the diagnosis of exercise HFNEF. This review hopefully will encourage further research in this difficult but clinically important area of heart failure.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance for imaging cardiac inflammation. A minireview.

BACKGROUND: Advances in nanotechnology have lead to the development of a novel contrast media for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPIO). SPIO nanoparticles are used to image inflammation on the cellular level in various settings. This review covers the physicochemical characteristics of SPIO particles as well as relevant animal and clinical studies and discusses the potential of SPIO particles to image cardiac inflammation including cardiac graft rejection. METHODS: We searched the scientific biomedical databases Medline/PubMed, BioMedCentral, Google Scholar, Ovid and, ProQuest from to 2000 to 2013 for publications relevant to the topic. CONCLUSIONS: SPIO nanoparticles due to their unique properties could become a useful tool in imaging cardiac inflammation. However, the task is to find a suitable particle size and coating with corresponding pharmacokinetics, establish the right dose and MRI scan timing for individual applications.

Variability of post-exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure recovery. Implications for noninvasive echocardiographic diagnostics.

AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the course of immediate post-exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) changes to identify the optimal time window for the noninvasive diagnostics of exercise-induced PCWP elevation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-one patients at risk of heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction underwent simultaneous exercise echocardiography and right heart catheterization. The ratio of early left ventricular filling velocity (E) to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e') was used to predict noninvasively exercise-induced PCWP elevation. Fifty-one patients had exercise-induced PCWP elevation ≥ 8 mmHg and reached peak exercise PCWP ≥ 20 mmHg. Rapid post-exercise recovery of PCWP within 2 min was achieved in 18 (35.3%) patients. Intermediate post-exercise PCWP recovery at 3 and 4 min was found in 16 (31.4%) patients while late post-exercise PCWP recovery (≥ 5 min) was achieved in 17 (33.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: The course of post-exercise PCWP recovery is highly variable, and a significant proportion of patients have only a brief period (≤ 2 min) of exercise-induced PCWP elevation. This fact should be taken into account in noninvasive assessment of exercise-induced PCWP.

Left atrium assessment: the evolving role of MRI.

The left atrium plays an integral role in cardiac performance. Data regarding the left atrial size, volume, function, and structure are clinically important in the management of patients with different diagnoses. Moreover, left atrial size and function were recognized as robust predictors of poor outcome across a broad range of cardiac diseases. These data are usually obtained using echocardiography. MRI can be used as an alternative tool or in clinical or experimental situations when more exact and detailed assessment is required. In the left atrial functional analysis, MRI is considered to be a gold standard technique that overcomes many of the limitations associated with echocardiographic assessment. In comparison with the other techniques, late gadolinium enhancement provides a unique opportunity to assess left atrial myocardial tissue in vivo. Complex cardiac magnetic resonance data may help to make a diagnosis, determine a prognosis and provide an impact on therapeutic actions.This review summarizes the potential role of cardiac magnetic resonance in left atrium assessment, with special emphasis on recent data and the potential future research directions.

[What is new in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction within last five years?]. / Co je nového v srdecním selhání se zachovalou ejekcní frakcí levé komory za posledních pet let?

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction of left ventricle (heart failure with normal ejection fraction, HFPEF, HFNEF) is frequent disease with serious consequences. Incidence of HFPEF in population is still growing. The exact pathophysiological mechanism of HFPEF remain unclear .Recent evidence suggests a relationship between inflammation associated with obesity or Diabetes mellitus and progression of HFPEF. Consistently, it has been reported that serum concentration of some pro-inflammatory markers such as adiponectin is positively related to HFPEF. By HFPEF is attended diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction is linked to many other cardiac and non-cardiac diseases. Despite the great effort and new therapeutic approaches the prognosis of HFPEF does not improve. The gold standard in HFPEF diagnosis remains heart catheterization. Electrocardiography, chest X-ray, blood examination including diagnostic markers of heart failure and mainly echocardiography with Doppler imaging are used diagnose the underlying disease leading to heart failure.

The prognostic impact of myocardial late gadolinium enhancement.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) provides a unique opportunity to assess myocardial tissue in vivo. LGE enables tissue characterization in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathies and other cardiac diseases. LGE is associated with adverse clinical outcomes across a range of different cardiac conditions and may improve risk stratification for death, sudden cardiac death, or serious adverse events beyond traditional prognostic markers. Generally, matching data for the prognostic impact of LGE are frequently reached in cardiac disorders. In other diseases, only a limited number of trials are available, but it is anticipated that the prognostic impact of delayed enhancement will become evident. The development and validation of new cardiovascular magnetic resonance methods for diffuse myocardial fibrosis measurements would even improve the prognostic impact of LGE. The evaluation of diffuse myocardial fibrosis has a great potential in large-scale diseases, including their initial phases, with the possibility to identify patients at risk for subsequent development of clinical heart failure, to assess repeatedly the stage and progression of cardiac diseases, and to monitor the effect of treatment.

High prevalence of exercise-induced heart failure with normal ejection fraction in post-heart transplant patients.

AIM: Post-heart transplant patients are at increased risk of diastolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of isolated only exercise-induced heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) in heart transplant recipients. METHODS AND RESULTS: To determine pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) at rest and during exercise, 81 patients after orthotopic heart transplantation with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) underwent exercise right heart catheterization with simultaneous exercise echocardiography. Based on PCWP values, the patients were divided into three groups. Twenty-one patients had no evidence of HFNEF (PCWP at rest < 15 mmHg, maximal PCWP during exercise < 25 mmHg, prevalence 26%). Forty-seven subjects were found to have only exercise-induced HFNEF (PCWP at rest < 15 mmHg, maximal PCWP during exercise ≥ 25 mmHg, prevalence 58%). Thirteen patients had HFNEF already at rest (PCWP ≥ 15 mmHg at rest, prevalence 16%). Of the noninvasive parameters obtained at rest, multivariate regression analysis identified LV mass index adjusted for allograft age to be an independent predictor of exercise-induced HFNEF. CONCLUSIONS: In heart transplant recipients with normal LVEF, there is a high prevalence of exercise-induced HFNEF. LV mass index adjusted for allograft age is predictive of exercise-induced HFNEF.

Do we always consistently define the clinically important echocardiographic parameters?

AIMS: The aim of this short communication is to highlight some inconsistencies in defining two clinically important echocardiographic parameters with possible impact on clinical practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: A surview of publications in reputable cardiological journals revealed inconsistencies posing questions on the validity of the published data and on the scrupulousness of the reviewing process. We demonstrate examples of inconsistencies in the calculation of left ventricular mass using Devereux's formula and in the definition of relative wall thickness, two echocardiographic parameters commonly utilized in a clinical practice. CONCLUSION: It is desirable to follow exactly the definitions of more complex parameters and to unify ways of presenting those with several definitions.

Noninvasive prediction of the exercise-induced elevation in left ventricular filling pressure in post-heart transplant patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVES: At present, there are conflicting data on the ability of echocardiographic parameters to predict the exercise-induced elevation of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. The purpose of the present study was to validate the ratio of early diastolic transmitral (E) to mitral annular velocity (e') obtained at peak exercise in its capacity to determine the exercise-induced elevation of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and to reveal new noninvasive parameters with such capacity. METHODS: Sixty-one patients who had undergone heart transplantation with normal LV ejection fraction underwent simultaneous exercise echocardiography and right heart catheterization. RESULTS: In 50 patients with a normal PCWP at rest, exercise E/e' ≥8.5 predicted exercise PCWP ≥25 mmHg with a sensitivity of 64.3% and a specificity of 84.2% (area under the curve [AUC]=0.74). A comparable or slightly better prediction was achieved by exercise E/peak systolic mitral annular velocity (s') ≥11.0 (sensitivity 79.3%; specificity 57.9%; AUC=0.75) and exercise E/LV systolic longitudinal strain rate ≤-105 cm (sensitivity 78.9%; specificity 78.6%; AUC=0.87). Combined, exercise E/s' and exercise E/e' resulted in a trend toward a slightly more precise prediction (sensitivity 53.6%; specificity 89.5%; AUC=0.78) than did either variable alone. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise E/e', used as a sole parameter, is not sufficiently precise to predict the exercise-induced elevation of PCWP. Exercise E/s', E/LV systolic longitudinal strain rate or combinations of these parameters may represent further promising possibilities for predicting exercise PCWP elevation.

Can markers of collagen turnover or other biomarkers contribute to the diagnostics of heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction?

AIMS: Plasma levels of some biomarkers and markers of collagen turnover may reflect myocardial structural abnormalities associated with diastolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine whether these markers could contribute to the diagnostics of heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: 91 patients with exertional dyspnea and normal left ventricular ejection fraction and 20 healthy controls underwent plasma analysis of markers of collagen turnover and other biomarkers, spirometry, and resting and exercise echocardiography. 38 patients with dyspnea had evidence of HFNEF, diagnosed at the early stage. Compared to the remaining patients, those with HFNEF had a significantly higher plasma levels of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (median 4.5 µg/L vs. 3.5 µg/L, P<0.05) and big endothelin (median 1.1 pmol/L vs 0.9 pmol/L, P<0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between HFNEF and the following biomarkers: big endothelin, amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). However, none of these biomarkers independently contributed to the HFNEF diagnostics in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Plasma levels of big endothelin, PIIINP, and MMP-2 were found to be associated with the presence of early diagnosed HFNEF. However, none of these biomarkers contributed independently to current noninvasive HFNEF diagnostics recommended by the European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

The prognostic effect of different types of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary artery disease.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to access and compare the prognostic effects of different types of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with chronic coronary artery disease. METHODS: One hundred fifty-two patients were retrospectively divided into 4 groups according to their adherence to physical activity recommendations. Patients in groups 1 and 2 participated in the guided 3-month exercise programme. Patients in group 1 then continued with individual exercise training, while patients in the group 2 stopped exercising after finishing the guide exercise programme. Patients in group 3 participated only in individual exercise training throughout the whole follow-up period, and patients in group 4 declined all exercise recommendations and did not exercise. The prognostic outcome of different types of cardiac rehabilitation was compared among the groups. In addition, patients who participated in individual exercise training according to recommendations (cohort IT+) were compared with patients who declined these activities (cohort IT-). RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 94 months, 33 deaths occurred: 17 cardiovascular and 16 non-cardiac deaths. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated significantly better survival rates for patients who followed a long-term aerobic exercise training (IT+) than for those who did not participate or who had only a short-term exercise programme (IT-) (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: In our study, long-term exercise training had a higher impact on patient survival than short-term guided CR.

Matrix metalloproteinase 13 genotype in rs640198 polymorphism is associated with severe coronary artery disease.

Atherosclerosis as a main etiopathogenetic source for coronary artery disease (CAD) development is intimately related to dynamic changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Elevated levels of MMP-13 have been observed in human atherosclerotic plaques which could also involve variability in MMP-13 gene. The aim of the study was to associate rs640198 polymorphism with CAD and/or with its severity. The study comprised 1071 consecutive patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD), confirmed by coronary angiography. Genotyping for the rs640198 polymorphism in MMP-13 gene was performed using Taqman® assay. The TT and TG genotypes of rs640198 polymorphism in MMP-13 gene confer the significantly increased risk of triple vessel disease compared to patients without atherosclerotic lesions in coronary arteries (odds ratio=1.64, Pcorr=0.05). Furthermore, an increased risk of having 5 and more stenoses (odds ratio=1.90, Pcorr=0.004) was observed in TT and TG carriers (sensitivity of 0.613 and a specificity of 0.544; power of the test is 0.87). T allele of MMP-13 intron polymorphism rs640198 is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease, represented by the number of affected arteries as well as by the number of stenoses confirmed by coronarography.

The role of exercise echocardiography in the diagnostics of heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

AIMS: Few data are available on the exercise-induced abnormalities of myocardial function in patients with exertional dyspnoea and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF). The main aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of isolated exercise-induced heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) and to assess whether disturbances in LV or right ventricular longitudinal systolic function are associated with the diagnosis of HFNEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-four patients with exertional dyspnoea and normal LV EF and 14 healthy controls underwent spirometry, NT-proBNP plasma analysis, and exercise echocardiography. Doppler LV inflow and tissue mitral and tricuspid annular velocities were analysed at rest and immediately after the termination of exercise. Of the 30 patients with the evidence of HFNEF, 6 (20%) patients had only isolated exercise-induced HFNEF. When compared with the remaining patients, those with HFNEF had a significantly lower resting and exercise peak mitral annular systolic velocity (Sa) and the mitral annular velocity during atrial contraction, lower exercise peak mitral annular velocity at early diastole, and lower exercise peak systolic velocity of tricuspid annular motion. The multivariate logistic regression analysis including both parameters standardly defining HFNEF and the new Doppler variables potentially associated with the diagnosis of HFNEF revealed that NT-proBNP, LV mass index, left atrial volume index, and Sa significantly and independently predict the diagnosis of HFNEF. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients require exercise to diagnose HFNEF. Sa appears to be a significant independent predictor of HFNEF, which may increase the diagnostic value of models utilizing the variables recommended by the European Society of Cardiology guidelines.