13 Feb 2025 • A new study using dynamic SPECT imaging reveals that coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a major contributor to worse outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Key Findings:

• Researchers found CMD in 71% of HFpEF patients, compared to just 16.7% in controls.
• These patients had lower myocardial flow reserve (MFR 2.34 vs. 3.68) and more impaired cardiac strain measures.
• Those with both HFpEF and CMD faced a 6.4-fold higher risk of mortality and hospitalization (HR 6.42).

These findings underscore the importance of assessing CMD in HFpEF management, potentially guiding early interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Source: International Journal of Cardiology | Read Full Story