Pulmonary hypertension secondary to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is an increasingly recognized cause of PH due to an emerging epidemic of HFpEF. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PH in HFpEF are not well established, but the presence of PH and right ventricular dysfunction in HFpEF is associated with worse prognosis. Currently, it is unclear whether PH is just a marker of underlying disease severity or whether it could be a target of treatment in HFpEF. Although PH-HFpEF and pulmonary arterial hypertension share several clinical characteristics, the evidence supporting the use of pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapies in PH-HFpEF is limited. Here, we review the disease classification, epidemiology, proposed pathophysiology, and treatments for PH-HFpEF. Our limited understanding highlights an urgent need for more research to elucidate the pathogenesis of PH in HFpEF and to develop novel therapies for this challenging syndrome.