In a cohort of 1,307 patients with HFrEF, 39% transitioned to HFimpEF, with female sex, atrial fibrillation, and specific echocardiographic parameters significantly predicting this improvement.
Cohort (n=1,307)
No
In a real-world HFrEF cohort, 39% of patients transitioned to HFimpEF, a process predicted by specific baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and associated with significantly improved long-term survival.
p-value: p=<0.05
Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) has better outcomes than HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, factors contributing to HFimpEF remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate clinical and longitudinal characteristics associated with subsequent HFimpEF. Methods This was a single-center retrospective HFrEF cohort study. Data were collected from 2014 to 2022. Patients with HFrEF were identified using ICD codes, echocardiographic data, and natriuretic peptide levels. The main endpoints were HFimpEF (defined as ejection fraction >40% at ≥3 months with ≥10% increase) and mortality. Cox proportional hazards and mixed effects models were used for analyses. Results The study included 1307 HFrEF patients with a median follow-up of 16.3 months (IQR 8.0-30.6). The median age was 65 years; 68% were male while 57% were white. On follow-up, 39% (n=506) developed HFimpEF, while 61% (n=801) had persistent HFrEF. A multivariate Cox regression model identified sex, race comorbidities, echocardiographic, and natriuretic peptide as significant covariates of HFimpEF ( p <0.05). The HFimpEF group had better survival compared to the persistent HFrEF group ( p <0.001). Echocardiographic and laboratory trajectories differed between groups. Conclusion In this HFrEF cohort, 39% transitioned to HFimpEF and approximately 50% met the definition within the first 12 months. In a HFimpEF model, sex, comorbidities, echocardiographic parameters, and natriuretic peptide were associated with subsequent HFimpEF. The model has the potential to identify patients at risk of subsequent persistent or improved HFrEF, thus informing the design and implementation of targeted quality-of-care improvement interventions.
Romero et al. (2023) conducted a cohort in Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n=1,307). Baseline clinical, echocardiographic, and biomarker characteristics was evaluated on Development of Heart Failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) (p=<0.05). In a cohort of 1,307 patients with HFrEF, 39% transitioned to HFimpEF, with female sex, atrial fibrillation, and specific echocardiographic parameters significantly predicting this improvement.