Study of Blood Biomarkers to Detect Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Adults Suspected of Heart Failure, Including Those with Obesity

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying patients with suspected heart failure with preserved ejection fraction HFpEF, especially focusing on those with obesity. The study aims to evaluate new ways to identify HFpEF because the commonly used NT-proBNP test is less effective at detecting HFpEF in people with obesity or those with low NT-proBNP levels. This observational study will explore alternative NT-proBNP cut-offs and novel biomarkers to improve diagnosis and understand how common HFpEF is in these groups. The study will observe patients in primary care who have had NT-proBNP levels tested as part of their routine care for suspected heart failure. Participants will undergo assessments including medical history, physical examination, patient questionnaires, electrocardiograms, echocardiography, and blood and urine biomarker tests. Heart failure experts will use these results and echocardiography findings to diagnose heart failure. The study will include patients grouped by NT-proBNP levels and obesity status to evaluate the utility of different biomarkers. Participants will be followed over time using medical records to track hospitalizations and deaths for at least 10 years. Researchers will monitor clinical signs, biomarker levels, and heart function through non-invasive testing such as echocardiography. The main outcome is determining the best NT-proBNP cut-offs for diagnosing HFpEF in obese patients, along with evaluating biomarker performance and the prevalence of heart failure in patients with low NT-proBNP. This long-term observation will provide insights into heart failure diagnosis and progression in this population.

Biomarkers in Patients With Suspected HFpEF