Global longitudinal strain predicts clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are at high risk for hospitalization and mortality and many of these patients experience a deterioration in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) over time. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a sensitive marker of myocardial dysfunction that could help predict risk for future events in this population. We assessed whether GLS can predict adverse clinical outcomes and future deterioration in LVEF in patients with HFpEF.In this retrospective cohort study, patients with HFpEF were divided into groups according to abnormal GLS (>-15.8%) or normal GLS (<-15.8%).The primary outcomes were: a composite of cardiovascular mortality or heart failure hospitalization and deterioration in LVEF to <40%. Among the 311 patients with HFpEF, 128 patients (41%) had normal GLS and 183 patients (59%) had abnormal GLS. After a median follow-up of 4.6 years, the composite outcome occurred more commonly in patients with abnormal GLS compared to patients with normal GLS (62% vs. 44%; hazard ratio [HR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2.4, p < 0.001). Patients with abnormal GLS were also more likely to experience a deterioration in LVEF (19% vs. 10%; HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.3, p = 0.018). When assessed as a continuous variable, each 1% increase in GLS was associated with 10% increased odds for the composite outcome and 13% increased odds for deterioration in LVEF.In patients with HFpEF, abnormal GLS is common and is a strong predictor for clinical events and future deterioration in LVEF.