Peak strain dispersion as a nonlinear mediator in HFpEF: Unraveling subtype-specific pathways via SHAP-augmented ensemble modeling

Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) represents a heterogeneous syndrome with diverse pathophysiological mechanisms and limited therapeutic options. Peak strain dispersion (PSD) has emerged as a potential mediator in HFpEF pathophysiology. This study aimed to identify distinct HFpEF subtypes and investigate PSD’s subtype-specific mediating pathways. Methods This prospective single-center study included 150 HFpEF patients recruited from December 2023 to December 2024. Unsupervised K-means clustering was performed on the entire cohort to identify patient subtypes. For detailed analysis, rigorous data quality control was performed by removing cases with missing values in any of the 25 baseline features or outcome variables. Consequently, 84 patients with complete data were retained for analysis. Comprehensive clinical and echocardiographic data were collected, including PSD measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography and myocardial work parameters (global work waste and global work efficiency). Unsupervised K-means clustering was performed to identify distinct patient subtypes using eight key variables. Machine learning models with feature engineering (incorporating five clinically meaningful interaction terms: PSDLVEF, ageHTN, eGFRBNP, RWTE/e’, and GLSLVMI) were developed to predict myocardial work parameters and assess feature importance using SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis. Nonlinear mediation analysis was conducted within each subtype to evaluate the mediating pathways through which clinical factors influence myocardial work outcomes. Results Two distinct HFpEF subtypes were identified: Cluster 0 characterized by younger age (58. 6 ± 13. 2 years), severe renal dysfunction (eGFR 12. 88. 9-19. 9 mL/min/1. 73m²), higher PSD (56. 048. 0-64. 5 ms), and lower global work efficiency; and Cluster 1 characterized by older age (71. 2 ± 9. 7 years), preserved renal function (eGFR 104. 078. 5-126. 0 mL/min/1. 73m²), lower PSD (41. 035. 0-49. 0 ms), and higher GWE. Machine learning models achieved moderate to good predictive performance (R² = 0. 58-0. 61 for GWE and GWW). SHAP analysis revealed that PSD was the most important predictor, with the PSD×LVEF interaction term showing prominent importance in GWE prediction. Nonlinear mediation analysis demonstrated striking subtype-specific differences in mediation patterns. In Cluster 0, eGFR showed a trend toward mediating its effects on GWW through PSD (indirect effect = 0. 313), reflecting complex cardiorenal interactions in younger patients with severe renal disease. In contrast, Cluster 1 demonstrated significant mediation effects: BNP’s effect on GWW was significantly mediated through PSD (indirect effect = -0. 4877, P < 0. 05), and BNP’s effect on GWE was entirely mediated through PSD (indirect effect = 0. 5389, P < 0. 05). Conclusion This study identified two distinct HFpEF subtypes with fundamentally different pathophysiological mechanisms. Cluster 0 shows prominent PSD-mediated effects through cardiorenal interactions, while Cluster 1 demonstrates weaker PSD mediation, suggesting age-related mechanisms operate through pathways less dependent on myocardial mechanical dyssynchrony. These findings support HFpEF heterogeneity and highlight PSD as a valuable biomarker for subtype-specific risk stratification and therapeutic targeting.