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Role of Echocardiography in the Diagnosis of Heart Failure with Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function: Update 2013

  • Echocardiography (T Buck, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Heart failure and its complications are significant causes of mortality and morbidity in most societies. Major parts of the studies that constitute the base of modern treatment of heart failure have been limited to the study of heart failure associated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). Only during the past 10–15 years, heart failure associated with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) or primarily right-sided heart failure have come more into focus as our understanding of the critical role of other etiologies for the clinical syndrome of heart failure than a reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction has increased. Furthermore, whilst the powerful prognostic role of a reduced LV ejection fraction has long since been well validated, only relatively recently it was realized that patients with heart failure symptoms and preserved LV ejection fraction also have a substantially impaired prognosis. Previously, these patients had often been dismissed as not having "real heart failure". In parallel, it has become clear that diagnoses like hypertensive heart disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy and heart failure associated with atrial fibrillation, among others, can be understood as forms of HFpEF.

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Dr. Mohammad Kavianipour, Dr. Amir Farkhooy, and Dr. Frank A. Flachskampf reported no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

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Kavianipour, M., Farkhooy, A. & Flachskampf, F.A. Role of Echocardiography in the Diagnosis of Heart Failure with Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function: Update 2013. Curr Cardiovasc Imaging Rep 6, 523–533 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12410-013-9223-3

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