Phenotyping Heart Failure According to the Longitudinal Ejection Fraction Change: Myocardial Strain, Predictors, and Outcomes

BACKGROUND: Many patients with heart failure (HF) experience changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during follow-up. We sought to evaluate the predictors and outcomes of different HF phenotypes according to longitudinal changes in EF. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 2104 patients with acute HF underwent echocardiography at baseline and follow-up. Global longitudinal strain was measured at index admission. HF phenotypes were defined as persistent HF with reduced EF (persistent HFrEF, LVEF <= 40% at baseline and follow-up), heart failure with improved ejection fraction (LVEF <= 40% at baseline and improved to >40% at follow-up), heart failure with declined ejection fraction (LVEF>40% at baseline and declined to <= 40% at follow up), and persistent HF with preserved EF (persistent HFpEF, LVEF>40% at baseline and follow-up). Overall, 1130 patients had HFrEF at baseline; during follow-up, 54.2% and 46.8% had persistent HFrEF and heart failure with improved ejection fraction, respectively. Among 975 patients with HFpEF at baseline, 89.5% and 10.5% had persistent HFpEF and heart failure with declined ejection fraction at follow-up, respectively. The 5-year all-cause mortality rates were 43.1%, 33.1%, 24%, and 17% for heart failure with declined ejection fraction, persistent HFrEF, persistent HFpEF, and heart failure with improved ejection fraction, respectively (global log-rank P<0.001). In multivariable analyses, each 1% increase in global longitudinal strain (greater contractility) was associated with 10% increased odds for heart failure with improved ejection fraction among patients with HFrEF at baseline and 7% reduced odds for heart failure with declined ejection fraction among patients with HFpEF at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: LVEF changed during follow-up. Each HF phenotype according to longitudinal LVEF changes has a distinct prognosis. Global longitudinal strain can be used to predict the HF phenotype.