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Diastolic heart failure (i.e., heart failure with preserved systolic function) accounts for 30%-50% of all cases of heart failure. Prognosis is almost as poor as with systolic heart failure. Currently, the only requirements for diagnosis are that strict clinical criteria for heart failure are satisfied and that the left ventricular ejection fraction is preserved (i.e., greater than 40%-50%), although in the future measurement of brain natriuretic peptides could be useful. Because of a lack of evidence from large clinical trials, with the exception of the CHARM study which showed that candesartan slightly reduced the hospital readmission rate, therapy is based on the identification and treatment of the causal condition (e.g., hypertension or coronary heart disease), heart rate control, and relief of congestion. Thus, combination treatment with low-dose diuretics, bradycardiac antihypertensives (e.g., beta-blockers or calcium antagonists), and angiotensin antagonists currently seems to be the best therapeutic approach.

Introduction and Objectives: There is little information on the clinical and functional course of patients with heart failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy due to hypertension. The objectives of our study were to assess the clinical and functional course of these patients, and to identify possible predictors of prognosis., Patients and Method: We evaluated a series of 49 patients with this condition diagnosed in our hospital from 1994 to 2003. Mean age was 63(11) years, and 40% were women. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 30.1(4.8)%. Follow-up was 45(23) months (median, 41 months)., Results: Four-year survival was 0.84, the 4-year rate of hospitalization due to heart failure was 0.12, and likelihood of readmission-free survival was 0.80 at 4 years. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 30.1(4.8)% to 57.6(13.5)% (P< .001). An unfavorable clinical and functional outcome at 4 years (death, readmission for heart failure or persistence of dilated cardiomyopathy) was recorded in only in 40% of the patients. Multivariate analysis with the Cox model showed appropriate control of blood pressure to be the only independent predictor of a favorable clinical outcome (absence of death or readmission for heart failure) (hazard ratio = 4.58; 95% CI, 1.32-9.83; P=.032)., Conclusions: The course of patients with severe dilated cardiomyopathy due to hypertension was favorable in 60% of cases. Adequate control of blood pressure was the only independent predictor of a favorable clinical outcome.

Diastolic heart failure (heart failure with preserved systolic function) causes 30% to 50% of all cases of heart failure, and its prognosis is almost as ominous as that of systolic heart failure. Currently, it is diagnosed when clinical criteria for heart failure are present and left ventricular ejection fraction is preserved (higher than 40% to 50%). However, determinations of brain natriuretic peptides may play an important role in the future. Because we have no evidence from clinical trials, with the exception of the slight benefit obtained with candesartan in reducing hospitalizations in the CHARM Study, treatment of diastolic heart failure is based on the identification and treatment of the causal factor (hypertension, coronary heart disease), control of heart rate, and relief of fluid congestion. Thus, combined therapy with low-dose diuretics, antihypertensive drugs for bradycardia (beta blockers, calcium antagonists) and angiotensin antagonists seems now to be the best therapeutic strategy.