Maladaptive left ventricular remodeling in women: An analysis from the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation–Coronary Vascular Dysfunction study

Abstract Background Women represent approximately half of heart failure hospitalizations and are disproportionately affected by heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Women with signs and symptoms of ischemia, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) often have elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). However, isolated elevated LVEDP in the absence of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is not understood. Methods Among 244 women with signs and symptoms of ischemia, no obstructive CAD, and preserved LVEF who underwent invasive coronary reactivity testing (CRT), 43 (18%) women had no evidence of CMD. LVEDP was measured at time of CRT, and left ventricular (LV) volumes and mass were assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Results Of the 43 women without CMD, 24 (56%) had elevated LVEDP [mean 18 mm Hg (SD = 3)] compared to 19 (44%) with normal LVEDP [11 mm Hg (SD = 3)]. The elevated LVEDP group had a comparatively higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lower LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), and higher mass-to-volume ratio. Other functional parameters were not significantly different. Conclusions Among women with signs and symptoms of ischemia without obstructive CAD, absence of CMD, and preserved LVEF, isolated elevated LVEDP is associated with a significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, higher LV mass-to-volume ratio and lower LV EDVI. These results suggest these women have maladaptive remodeling to blood pressure. Given the relatively high prevalence of HFpEF in women, these hypothesis-generating results suggest that further study of ventricular remodeling is warranted.