Progress in Clinical Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Combined with Depression

Abstract

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common type of heart failure (HF) , and previous treatments that primarily target heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) do not benefit the patients with HFpEF because of the differences in their pathophysiological mechanisms, resulting in high mortality and poor prognosis. Whereas depression is one of the most common mental and psychological problems, caused by various reasons and characterized by a pronounced and long-lasting low spirits, with various degrees of cognitive and behavioral changes. Those who are severely ill even present self-injurious and suicidal behavior. With intensive research into HFpEF, it has emerged that depression has become one of the most common comorbidities in HFpEF and that the two interact to contribute to poor prognosis for patients. Currently, relevant studies in HFpEF with depression suggested that some drugs could improve short term symptoms and clinical prognosis in such patients. This paper aimed to review the comorbid mechanism, research status and the latest progress of related treatment of HFpEF complicated with depression. It is found that sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor enkephalinase inhibitors (ARNI) and statin drugs play important roles in the field of HF and psychophysiology. They can not only improve the cardiac function and prognosis of HFpEF patients, but also have the effect of anti-depression, thus to provide references for clinical study and treatment.

Keywords

• heart failure|depression|comorbidity|heart failure with preserved ejection fraction|clinical treatment|review