Research Article 2026-04-21 under-review v1

Pulmonary hypertension in advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.  What are the consequences of the new definition?

S
Samuel Vysočanský Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases
M
Milan Luknár Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases
P
Peter Lesný Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases
M
Marcela Danková Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases
A
Anton Dlesk Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases
L
Lucia Mrózová Caldera s.r.o
E
Eva Goncalvesová Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Background The recent definition of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has expanded the category of combined pre- and post-capillary (CPC) PH. Its impact on PH prevalence and prognosis in advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains unknown.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 175 HFrEF patients evaluated for heart transplantation, all of whom underwent comprehensive invasive and non-invasive work-up. To assess the prognostic impact of the updated PH definition, survival was compared according to the presence of PH and its phenotype.Results PH was present in 83% of patients, 76% of these met CPC PH criteria. Applying the 2015 definition, 77% of patients would have had PH, with 46% of them classified as CPC PH. Presence of PH correlated with markers of advanced HFrEF course, but only larger left atrial diameter (HR 1.158; 95% CI 1.020–1.315; p = 0.024) and lower TAPSE (HR 0.811; 95% CI 0.674–0.976; p = 0.027) remained independent predictors. CPC PH patients were older, with higher prevalence of renal insufficiency, diabetes and worse central hemodynamics. Higher age (HR 1.045; 95% CI, 1.000-1.091; p = 0.048), systolic pulmonary artery pressure determined non-invasively (HR 1.064; 95% CI, 1.018–1.111; p = 0.006) and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (HR 1.131; 95% CI, 1.015–1.261; p = 0.026) were only predictors of CPC PH. Presence of both PH and CPC PH was associated with worse 2-year outcome, defined as implantation of mechanical circulatory support or all-cause mortality.Conclusions The new PH definition minimally affects PH prevalence in advanced HFrEF but substantially increases CPC PH group, which remains associated with adverse prognosis.

Citation Information

@article{samuelvysoansk2026,
  title={Pulmonary hypertension in advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.  What are the consequences of the new definition?},
  author={Samuel Vysočanský and Milan Luknár and Peter Lesný and Marcela Danková and Anton Dlesk and Lucia Mrózová and Eva Goncalvesová},
  journal={Bratislava Medical Journal},
  year={2026},
  doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9382853/v1}
}
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