Sex-Related Differences in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Circ Heart Fail. 2019 Dec;12(12):e006539. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.119.006539. Epub 2019 Dec 9.

Abstract

Background: To describe characteristics and outcomes in women and men with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Methods: Baseline characteristics (including biomarkers and quality of life) and outcomes (primary outcome: composite of first heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death) were compared in 4458 women and 4010 men enrolled in CHARM-Preserved (Candesartan in Heart failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity) (EF≥45%), I-Preserve (Irbesartan in heart failure with Preserved ejection fraction), and TOPCAT-Americas (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist trial).

Results: Women were older and more often obese and hypertensive but less likely to have coronary artery disease or atrial fibrillation. Women had more symptoms and signs of congestion and worse quality of life. Despite this, the risk of the primary outcome was lower in women (hazard ratio, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.73-0.88]), as was the risk of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.62-0.80]), but there was no difference in the rate for first hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.82-1.02]). The lower risk of cardiovascular death in women, compared with men, was in part explained by a substantially lower risk of sudden death (hazard ratio, 0.53 [0.43-0.65]; P<0.001). E/A ratio was lower in women (1.1 versus 1.2).

Conclusions: There are significant differences between women and men with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Despite worse symptoms, more congestion, and lower quality of life, women had similar rates of hospitalization and better survival than men. Their risk of sudden death was half that of men.

Clinical trial registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00853658, NCT01035255.

Keywords: coronary artery disease; death, sudden; heart failure; quality of life; sex.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cause of Death
  • Comorbidity
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / epidemiology
  • Disease Progression
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis
  • Heart Failure / mortality
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology*
  • Heart Failure / therapy
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Stroke Volume*
  • Time Factors
  • Ventricular Function, Left*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00853658
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01035255