Treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a prevalent condition. An evaluation of the current literature on the appropriate management of this condition will help decrease disease progression, its complications and, thus, healthcare costs caused by hospitalizations for decompensation.

Objective: to evaluate the current evidence in the literature on the efficacy and safety of HFpEF treatment in terms of mortality, frequency of hospitalizations and improvement in quality of life. Methods: a systematic review of studies in the Cochrane, Medline, LILACS, and Embase databases. Clinical trials comparing the various medications used to treat adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and NYHA II to IV were included.

Expected results: to evaluate the various current treatments of patients with HFpEF, which will contribute to building the relatively scarce evidence on this topic, thus contributing new scientific knowledge.

Conclusions: the studies of SGLT2 inhibitors have shown a reduction in the combined risks of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure and improved quality of life according to the KCCQ scale. Therapeutic benefit was seen with regard to the specific population characteristics of each patient. However, studies geared towards different horizons are needed, since the currently available management is not aimed at the various specific pathophysiological mechanisms of this heterogenous clinical syndrome