Do we need a definition of acute heart failure with preserved ejection fraction?

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) might soon become the most prevalent type of acute heart failure. Still, despite more than 30 years of research on HFpEF, not only do we lack specific treatment, but also a generally accepted definition of HFpEF. Since 2016, several definitions and algorithms have been proposed for diagnosing both diastolic dysfunction and overt HFpEF. However, all of them focus exclusively on chronic (and not acute) HFpEF. Recent studies showed that acute HFpEF may be overdiagnosed in patients presenting with acute dyspnoea. The aim of our article was to address two questions: (1) why there is a need for specific diagnostic criteria for acute HFpEF, and (2) what such definition of acute HFpEF should encompass. KEY MESSAGES: Several scores and algorithms have been proposed for diagnosing chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), however, so far, there is no definition of acute HFpEF. Acute HFpEF seems to be overdiagnosed in patients presenting with acute dyspnoea. Definition of acute HFpEF should comprise both (1) features of chronic HFpEF and (2) markers of increased left ventricular filling pressures and/or of pulmonary congestion.

Automated summary

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) could soon be the most common type of acute heart failure, but there is still a lack of specific diagnostic criteria and definition. Acute HFpEF may be overdiagnosed in patients presenting with acute dyspnoea.