Optimizing the Management of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in the Elderly by Targeting Comorbidities (OPTIMIZE-HFPEF)

Echocardiographic diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in elderly patients with hypertension

Objectives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of echocardiography for the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in the elderly and to validate the Heart Failure Association diagnostic algorithm (HFA-PEFF). Design. A case-control study was conducted in patients with hypertension with or without HFpEF who were matched for age (n = 33; 78.4 ± 5.3 years) and sex. Participants underwent echocardiography including assessment of left atrial (LA) volume index (LAVI), early mitral filling to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity ratio (E/e'), LA reservoir strain (LASr), tissue Doppler LA contraction (a'), right ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (RVIVRT), and a 6-minute walk test (6-MWT). The filling pressure algorithm from the European association of cardiovascular imaging (EACVI) 2021 was applied. The HFA-PEFF score was also applied, using echocardiography parameters and the value of NT pro-BNP, without considering symptomatic status. Results. Echocardiographic parameters identified patients with HFpEF with an area under the curve (AUC) >0.9 for E/e', RVIVRT, LASr, a', and the ratio of LAVI/a'. LASr correlated with 6-MWT (r = 0.59, p = .0003). The EACVI algorithm classified all controls with normal filling pressure and 94% of patients with HFpEF with increased filling pressure. When the HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm was validated, a high score (≥5 points) had 100% sensitivity for HFpEF, while 88% of controls had intermediate scores (2-4 points). Conclusion. The EACVI filling pressure algorithm, RVIVRT, LASr, and the ratio LAVI/a' were accurate for diagnosing HFpEF in elderly patients with hypertension. The HFA-PEFF score had high sensitivity but limited ability to exclude HFpEF.

Correlation Between Liver Stiffness and Diastolic Function, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, and Right Cardiac Function in Patients With Ejection Fraction Preserved Heart Failure

Objective: Ejection fraction preserved heart failure (HFpEF) is a common clinical syndrome with a high morbidity, accounting for ~50% of all heart failure patients, and a mortality comparable to that of ejection fraction reduced heart failure (HFrEF). The relationship between liver stiffness (LS) and HFpEF remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between LS and the severity of HFpEF.

Methods: We performed a prospective observational study. After accepting liver transient elastography on admission, consecutive 150 hospitalized HFpEF patients were divided into three groups based on their liver elasticity value: first-third quartiles. Left ventricular diastolic function, left ventricular hypertrophy degree, right cardiac function and short-term prognosis (≤1 year) were compared among the three groups, and the correlation between liver elasticity and each indicator was analyzed.

Results: The elasticity of the liver was abnormally high in more than two-thirds of cases. The proportion of NYHA class III-IV in the third quartile group was significantly higher than that in the first quartile group (96 vs. 70%, P = 0.013). Significant differences were discovered in the level of lgNT-proBNP between the three groups (2.63 ± 0.65 vs. 2.84 ± 0.44 vs. 3.05 ± 0.71, P = 0.027). In terms of diastolic function and left ventricular hypertrophy, the ventricular septal e′ (5.01 ± 2.69 vs. 6.48 ± 2.29, P = 0.025), lateral wall e′ (6.63 ± 3.50 vs. 8.62 ± 2.73, P = 0.013), mean E/e′ (20.06 ± 7.53 vs. 13.20 ± 6.05, P = 0.001), left atrial volume index (43.53 ± 10.94 vs. 35.78 ± 13.86, P = 0.008), tricuspid regurgitation (TR) peak flow rate (3.16 ± 0.44 vs. 2.75 ± 0.50, P < 0.001), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in male (163.2 ± 47.6 vs. 131.3 ± 38.0, P = 0.015) and in female (147.4 ± 48.6 vs. 110.6 ± 24.3, P = 0.036) was significantly different between the third quartile and the first quartile. The proportion of patients with diastolic dysfunction in the third quartile was significantly higher than that in the first quartile (70 vs. 36%, P = 0.017). In terms of right cardiac function, right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) (30.3 ± 5.4 vs. 36.5 ± 6.8, P < 0.001), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (7.7 ± 5.2 vs. 14.8 ± 5.9, P = 0.010), pulmonary systolic pressure (38.0 ± 10.5 vs. 32.4 ± 10.3, P = 0.005), TR peak flow rate (3.16 ± 0.44 vs. 2.75 ± 0.50, P < 0.001), and inferior vena cava diameter (2.53 ± 0.51 vs. 1.98 ± 0.41, P < 0.001) were significantly different between the third quartile and the first quartile. More than half of HFpEF patients were combined with right ventricular dysfunction (RVD). Compared to HFpEF without RVD, HFpEF with RVD had higher male sex (53.6 vs. 30.3%, P < 0.001), higher NYHA class (3.2 ± 0.6 vs. 2.8 ± 0.6, P = 0.010), higher proportion of atrial fibrillation (45.2 vs. 18.2%, P < 0.001), and higher liver elasticity value (7.95 ± 0.60 vs. 7.31 ± 0.84, P = 0.003). In terms of short-term prognosis, the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events was significantly higher in the third quartile than in the first quartile (P = 0.003) and the second quartile (P = 0.008). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that adverse cardiovascular events were independently associated with NYHA class, atrial fibrillation, lgNT-proBNP and liver elasticity value (HR = 1.208, 95% CI 1.115–1.352, P = 0.002).

Conclusion: Increase of liver stiffness is common in HFpEF patients. Increased LS in HFpEF patients was significantly associated with worsen left diastolic function, left ventricular hypertrophy, and the right cardiac function. LS in HFpEF patients may be more than the result of right ventricular dysfunction. Male, atrial fibrillation, poorer NYHA class and increased liver elasticity value were significantly associated with HFpEF combined with RVD. Atrial fibrillation, poorer NYHA class, higher NT-proBNP, and increased liver elasticity value were independent predictors of poor short-term prognosis of HFpEF patients.

The Role of Stress Echocardiography in the Early Detection of Diastolic Dysfunction in Non-Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Fundamento

A dispneia por esforço é uma queixa comum de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEP) e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). A ICFEP é comum na DPOC e é um fator de risco independente para a progressão e exacerbação da doença. A detecção precoce, portanto, tem grande relevância clínica.

Objetivos

O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar a frequência de ICFEP mascarada em pacientes com DPOC não grave com dispneia aos esforços, sem doença cardiovascular manifesta, e analisar a correlação entre ICFEP mascarada e os parâmetros do teste cardiopulmonar de exercício (TCPE).

Métodos

Aplicamos o TCPE em 104 pacientes com DPOC não grave com dispneia aos esforços, sem doença cardiovascular evidente. A ecocardiografia foi realizada antes e no pico do TCPE. Os valores de corte para disfunção diastólica ventricular esquerda e direita induzida por estresse (DDVE/DDVD) foram E/e’ >15; E/e’ >6, respectivamente. A análise de correlação foi feita entre os parâmetros do TCPE e o estresse E/d’. Valor de p<0,05 foi considerado significativo.

Resultados

64% dos pacientes tinham DDVE induzida por estresse; 78% tinham DDVD induzida por estresse. Ambos os grupos com estresse DDVE e DDVD obtiveram carga menor, V’O₂ e pulso de O₂ mais baixos, além de apresentarem redução na eficiência ventilatória (maiores inclinações de VE/VCO₂). Nenhum dos parâmetros do TCPE foram correlacionados com E/e’ DDVE/DDVD induzida por estresse.

Conclusão

Há uma alta prevalência de disfunção diastólica induzida por estresse em pacientes com DPOC não grave com dispneia aos esforços, sem doença cardiovascular evidente. Nenhum dos parâmetros do TCPE se correlaciona com E/e’ induzida por estresse. Isso demanda a realização de Ecocardiografia sob estresse por exercício (EES) e TCPE para detecção precoce e manejo adequado da ICFEP mascarada nesta população. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(2):259-265)

Increased myocardial stiffness more than impaired relaxation function limits cardiac performance during exercise in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a virtual patient study

AIMS

The relative impact of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and impaired left atrial (LA) function on cardiovascular haemodynamics in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is largely unknown. We performed virtual patient simulations to elucidate the relative effects of these factors on haemodynamics at rest and during exercise.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The CircAdapt cardiovascular system model was used to simulate cardiac haemodynamics in wide ranges of impaired LV relaxation function, increased LV passive stiffness, and impaired LA function. Simulations showed that LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was preserved (>50%), despite these changes in LV and LA function. Impairment of LV relaxation function decreased E/A ratio and mildly increased LV filling pressure at rest. Increased LV passive stiffness resulted in increased E/A ratio, LA dilation and markedly elevated LV filling pressure. Impairment of LA function increased E/A ratio and LV filling pressure, explaining inconsistent grading of LVDD using echocardiographic indices. Exercise simulations showed that increased LV passive stiffness exerts a stronger exercise-limiting effect than impaired LV relaxation function does, especially with impaired LA function.

CONCLUSION

The CircAdapt model enabled realistic simulation of virtual HFpEF patients, covering a wide spectrum of LVDD and related limitations of cardiac exercise performance, all with preserved resting LVEF. Simulations suggest that increased LV passive stiffness, more than impaired relaxation function, reduces exercise tolerance, especially when LA function is impaired. In future studies, the CircAdapt model can serve as a valuable platform for patient-specific simulations to identify the disease substrate(s) underlying the individual HFpEF patient's cardiovascular phenotype.

Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Comprehensive Review and Update of Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Perioperative Implications

Almost three-quarters of all heart failure patients who are older than 65 have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The proportion and hospitalization rate of patients with HFpEF are increasing steadily relative to patients in whom heart failure occurs as result of reduced ejection fraction. The predominance of the HFpEF phenotype most likely is explained by the prevalence of medical conditions associated with an aging population. A multitude of age-related, medical, and lifestyle risk factors for HFpEF have been identified as potential causes for the sustained low-grade proinflammatory state that accelerates disease progression. Profound left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic stiffening, elevated LV filling pressures, reduced arterial compliance, left atrial hypertension, pulmonary venous congestion, and microvascular dysfunction characterize HFpEF, but pulmonary arterial hypertension, right ventricular dilation and dysfunction, and atrial fibrillation also frequently occur. These cardiovascular features make patients with HFpEF exquisitely sensitive to the development of hypotension in response to acute declines in LV preload or afterload that may occur during or after surgery. With the exception of symptom mitigation, lifestyle modifications, and rigorous control of comorbid conditions, few long-term treatment options exist for these unfortunate individuals. Patients with HFpEF present for surgery on a regular basis, and anesthesiologists need to be familiar with this heterogeneous and complex clinical syndrome to provide successful care. In this article, the authors review the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of HFpEF and also discuss its perioperative implications.

Medical Therapy for Heart Failure Caused by Ischemic Heart Disease

Patients with heart failure (HF) syndromes have been categorized as those with reduced ejection fraction (EF) or preserved EF (HFpEF), and ischemia plays a key role in both types. HF remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and with the aging of our population this burden continues to rise, predominantly as a result of hospitalizations for HFpEF. Patients with obstructive coronary artery disease more likely have HF with reduced EF, rather than HFpEF, secondary to acute ischemic injury resulting in myocardial infarction, and large outcomes trials of treatments with neurohumoral inhibition have documented reduced adverse outcomes. In contrast, similar treatments in patients with HFpEF have not proven beneficial. This therapeutic dilemma may be attributed, in part, to heterogeneity in the underlying pathophysiology with different systemic and myocardial signaling pathways, despite similar clinical presentations and findings, in patients with HFpEF. Also, emerging evidence indicates that impaired myocardial perfusion and inflammation secondary to multiple comorbidities are key mechanisms in HFpEF. We will thoroughly review the role of ischemic heart disease in the pathogenesis of HF with reduced EF and HFpEF, and discuss the medical management strategies available for these conditions.

Exercise Intolerance in Patients With Heart Failure: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

Exercise intolerance is the cardinal symptom of heart failure (HF) and is of crucial relevance, because it is associated with a poor quality of life and increased mortality. While impaired cardiac reserve is considered to be central in HF, reduced exercise and functional capacity are the result of key patient characteristics and multisystem dysfunction, including aging, impaired pulmonary reserve, as well as peripheral and respiratory skeletal muscle dysfunction. We herein review the different modalities to quantify exercise intolerance, the pathophysiology of HF, and comorbid conditions as they lead to reductions in exercise and functional capacity, highlighting the fact that distinct causes may coexist and variably contribute to exercise intolerance in patients with HF.

Therapy for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: current status, unique challenges, and future directions

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the most common form of HF. Among elderly women, HFpEF comprises more than 80% of incident HF cases. Adverse outcomes-exercise intolerance, poor quality of life, frequent hospitalizations, and reduced survival-approach those of classic HF with reduced EF (HFrEF). However, despite its importance, our understanding of the pathophysiology of HFpEF is incomplete, and despite intensive efforts, optimal therapy remains uncertain, as most trials to date have been negative. This is in stark contrast to management of HFrEF, where dozens of positive trials have established a broad array of effective, guidelines-based therapies that definitively improve a range of clinically meaningful outcomes. In addition to providing an overview of current management status, we examine evolving data that may help explain this paradox, overcome past challenges, provide a roadmap for future success, and that underpin a wave of new trials that will test novel approaches based on these insights.

The American Heart Association Heart Failure Summit, Bethesda, April 12, 2017

The American Heart Association convened a meeting to summarize the changing landscape of heart failure (HF), anticipate upcoming challenges and opportunities to achieve coordinated identification and treatment, and to recommend areas in need of focused efforts. The conference involved representatives from clinical care organizations, governmental agencies, researchers, patient advocacy groups, and public and private healthcare partners, demonstrating the breadth of stakeholders interested in improving care and outcomes for patients with HF. The main purposes of this meeting were to foster dialog and brainstorm actions to close gaps in identifying people with or at risk for HF and reduce HF-related morbidity, mortality, and hospitalizations. This report highlights the key topics covered during the meeting, including (1) identification of patients with or at risk for HF, (2) tracking patients once diagnosed, (3) application of population health approaches to HF, (4) improved strategies for reducing HF hospitalization (not just rehospitalization), and (5) promoting HF self-management.

Echocardiographic subtypes of heart failure in consecutive hospitalised patients with dyspnoea

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) involves half of hospitalised patients with heart failure (HF), but estimates vary due to unclear diagnostic criteria. We performed a prospective observational study of hospitalised patients admitted with dyspnoea. The aim was to apply contemporary guidelines to diagnose HF due to valvular disease (HFvhd), HF due to reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HF due to midrange EF (HFmrEF) and HFpEF in relation to presumed cardiac or non-cardiac dyspnoea.

Non-cardiac comorbidities in heart failure with reduced, mid-range and preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Comorbidities play a major role in heart failure. Whether prevalence and prognostic importance of comorbidities differ between heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), mid-range (HFmrEF) or reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is unknown.

METHODS

Patients from index (n = 2516) and validation cohort (n = 1738) of The BIOlogy Study to TAilored Treatment in Chronic Heart Failure (BIOSTAT-CHF) were pooled. Eight non-cardiac comorbidities were assessed; diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, obesity, anaemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²), COPD, stroke and peripheral arterial disease. Patients were classified based on ejection fraction. The association of each comorbidity with quality of life (QoL), all-cause mortality and hospitalisation was evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients with complete comorbidity data were included (n = 3499). Most prevalent comorbidity was CKD (50%). All comorbidities showed the highest prevalence in HFpEF, except for stroke. Prevalences of HFmrEF were in between the other entities. COPD was the comorbidity associated with the greatest reduction in QoL. In HFrEF, almost all were associated with a significant reduction in QoL, while in HFpEF only CKD and obesity were associated with a reduction. Most comorbidities in HFrEF were associated with an increased mortality risk, while in HFpEF only CKD, anaemia and COPD were associated with higher mortality risks.

CONCLUSIONS

The highest prevalence of comorbidities was seen in patients with HFpEF. Overall, comorbidities were associated with a lower QoL, but this was more pronounced in patients with HFrEF. Most comorbidities were associated with higher mortality risks, although the associations with diabetes were only present in patients with HFrEF.

Biomarkers, myocardial fibrosis and co-morbidities in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an overview

The prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is steadily increasing. Its diagnosis remains difficult and controversial and relies mostly on non-invasive echocardiographic detection of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and elevated filling pressures. The large phenotypic heterogeneity of HFpEF from pathophysiologic al underpinnings to clinical manifestations presents a major obstacle to the development of new therapies targeted towards specific HF phenotypes. Recent studies suggest that natriuretic peptides have the potential to improve the diagnosis of early HFpEF, but they still have significant limitations, and the cut-off points for diagnosis and prognosis in HFpEF remain open to debate. The purpose of this review is to present potential targets of intervention in patients with HFpEF, starting with myocardial fibrosis and methods of its detection. In addition, co-morbidities are discussed as a means to treat HFpEF according to cut-points of biomarkers that are different from usual. Biomarkers and approaches to co-morbidities may be able to tailor therapies according to patients' pathophysiological needs. Recently, soluble source of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), galectin-3, and other cardiac markers have emerged, but evidence from large cohorts is still lacking. Furthermore, the field of miRNA is a very promising area of research, and further exploration of miRNA may offer diagnostic and prognostic applications and insight into the pathology, pointing to new phenotype-specific therapeutic targets.

Comorbidities, Sociodemographic Factors, and Hospitalizations in Outpatients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) tend to be older and have a high co-morbidity burden. The impact of co-morbid conditions and sociodemographic risk factors on outcomes in these patients has not been quantified. We evaluated 445 consecutive outpatients with HFpEF, defined as established diagnosis of heart failure (HF) with left ventricular ejection fraction at presentation >40% and no previous left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%. Patients with specific cardiomyopathies, congenital heart disease, primary right-sided disease, valvular disease, or previous advanced HF therapies were excluded. After 2 years, there were 44 deaths and 609 all-cause hospitalizations; of these, 260 (42.7%) were cardiovascular hospitalizations, including HF, and 173 (28.4%) were specifically for HF. The highest attributable risk for hospitalizations was associated with marital status (single, divorced, and widowed had higher hospitalization rates compared with married patients), hypoalbuminemia, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and renal dysfunction. The proportion of hospitalizations potentially attributable to these factors was 66.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 56.4 to 74.4) for all-cause hospitalizations, 76.9% (95% CI 65.2 to 84.6) for cardiovascular hospitalizations, and 83.0% (95% CI 70.3 to 90.3) for HF hospitalizations. For composite end points, the proportion was 46.9% (95% CI 34.0% to 57.3%) for death or all-cause hospitalization, 45.7% (95% CI 29.3% to 58.2%) for death or cardiovascular hospitalization, and 43.7% (95% CI 24.2% to 58.2%) for death or HF-related hospitalization. In conclusion, among outpatients with HFpEF, most hospitalizations could be attributed to co-morbidities and sociodemographic factors. Effects of HF therapies on hospitalizations and related end points may be difficult to demonstrate in these patients. Multidisciplinary approaches are more likely to impact hospitalizations in HFpEF.

Reduced Myocardial Flow Reserve Is Associated With Diastolic Dysfunction and Decreased Left Atrial Strain in Patients With Normal Ejection Fraction and Epicardial Perfusion

INTRODUCTION

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (MVD) may contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Using myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measured by positron emission tomography (PET) as an assessment of microvascular function, we hypothesized that abnormal MFR is associated with LV diastolic dysfunction (DD) and reduced LV and LA strain in patients with risk factors for HFpEF and normal epicardial perfusion on cardiac PET.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Retrospective study of patients without heart failure who underwent cardiac rubidium-82 PET and echocardiography. Global MFR was calculated as the ratio of global stress to rest myocardial blood flow. Echocardiographic measures of diastolic function were recorded. Global longitudinal LA and LV strain were measured with a 2-dimensional speckle-tracking technique. Relationships among MFR and echocardiographic measures were assessed with linear regression, analysis of variance, and test for trend. Seventy-three patients (age 64 ± 11 years, 52% male) were identified with no epicardial perfusion defect on cardiac PET and an ejection fraction ≥50%. Decreased MFR was associated with LV DD (P = .02) and increased E/e', an estimation of LV filling pressure (low E/e' [<8] vs. high E/e' [>15], P < .001). MFR was associated with LA strain independent of age, gender, and common comorbidities (adjusted β = 2.6% per unit MFR, P = 0.046); however, MFR was only marginally related to LV strain.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with risk factors for HFpEF, MVD assessed with MFR was associated with DD, increased estimated LV filling pressure, and abnormal LA strain.

Liver fibrosis score predicts mortality in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction

AIMS

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has several pathophysiological aspects, including stiffness and/or congestion of multiple organs. Poor prognosis is expected in heart failure patients with liver stiffness, which has recently been assessed by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS; based on aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio, platelet counts, and albumin). We aimed to investigate the impact of NFS on prognosis of HFpEF patients, with consideration for the peripheral collagen markers such as procollagen type III peptide (PIIIP), type IV collagen 7S, and hyaluronic acid.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a prospective observational study. Consecutive 492 hospitalized HFpEF patients were divided into four groups based on their NFS: first-fourth quartiles (n = 123). The fourth quartile group had the highest levels of PIIIP, type IV collagen 7S, hyaluronic acid, and B-type natriuretic peptide (P<0.001 each). In addition, there were significant positive correlations between PIIIP, type IV collagen 7S, hyaluronic acid, B-type natriuretic peptide, and NFS (P < 0.001 each). In the follow-up period (mean 1107 days), 93 deaths occurred. All-cause mortality increased in all four quartiles (8.1%, 12.2%, 23.6%, and 31.7%, P < 0.001). In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, NFS was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in the HFpEF patients.

CONCLUSIONS

NFS, a novel indicator of liver fibrosis, correlates with circulating systemic markers of fibrosis and congestion and is associated with higher all-cause mortality in HFpEF patients. NFS can be calculated simply and may be a useful tool to assess liver stiffness and prognosis in HFpEF patients.

Obstructive Ventilatory Disorder in Heart Failure-Caused by the Heart or the Lung?

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome frequently associated with airway obstruction, either as a respiratory comorbidity or as a direct consequence of HF pathophysiology. Recognizing the relative contribution of an underlying airway disease as opposed to airway obstruction due to volume overload and left atrial pressure elevation is of importance for the appropriate management of patients affected by HF. This review focuses on "les liaisons dangereuses" between the heart and the lungs, outlying recent advances linking in a vicious circle of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on one side and HF on the other side. It also discusses the role of pivotal diagnostic tools such as pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine the contribution of HF and COPD to symptoms and clinical status. Treatment implications are discussed as well.