Sudden cardiac death in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a target for therapy?

The incidence and mechanisms of sudden cardiac death (SCD) among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction have been well characterized. Conversely, limited data are available exploring the landscape of SCD in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome of increasing prevalence and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This review will aim to contextualize recent data regarding rates and predictors of SCD in this growing population and to discuss the potential role of pharmacologic and device therapy for prevention of SCD within the at-risk HFpEF subset.