Diagnosis of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) constitutes a growing health care burden worldwide. Although definitions vary somewhat among guidelines, in general the presence of typical heart failure symptoms and signs in combination with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (>= 50%) and functional and/or structural left ventricular changes makes the diagnosis likely. This review focuses on the current understanding of diagnostic criteria, as presented in current guidelines and consensus recommendations, and on new insights from recent papers. The role of comorbidities that often contribute to symptoms and hamper the HFpEF diagnostics is also reviewed.