Diagnosing Heart Failure in the Person with Dyspnea and Preserved Ejection Fraction

A 10-point risk score based on noninvasive characteristics might be helpful in identifying patients who need further testing.

Establishing the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in people presenting with dyspnea can be challenging when they lack corroborative structural abnormalities like reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or clinically apparent volume overload. In a single-site study, researchers assessed noninvasive characteristics associated with HF; the reference standard was invasive hemodynamic exercise test results.

Study participants were 414 consecutive people with preserved LVEF and without significant underlying functional or structural cardiac abnormalities and no evidence of volume overload at rest who underwent invasive exercise testing for unexplained dyspnea. Of the participants, 267 were found to have HF (pulmonary capillary wedge press…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, FACC, FAHA

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)