heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Also written as: HFpEF — Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
A form of heart failure where the heart's pumping function appears normal but the heart muscle has become stiff and doesn't fill properly.
Full Definition
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by signs and symptoms of heart failure despite a left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%. Previously termed 'diastolic heart failure,' this condition involves impaired ventricular filling due to increased myocardial stiffness, altered relaxation properties, or both. HFpEF represents approximately half of all heart failure cases and is more common in elderly patients, particularly women. Diagnosis can be challenging as it requires evidence of elevated filling pressures or diastolic dysfunction in addition to clinical heart failure symptoms and preserved systolic function.
Usage
Usage note: The term 'diastolic heart failure' is being phased out in favor of the more descriptive HFpEF terminology.
In Context
- "The patient's heart failure with preserved ejection fraction was managed with diuretics and ACE inhibitor therapy." — Cardiology consultation note
- "HFpEF remains a therapeutic challenge with limited evidence-based treatment options compared to HFrEF." — Medical review article