H₂FPEF and HFA-PEFF scores performance and the additional value of cardiac structure and function in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background: The H₂FPEF and the HFA-PEFF scores have become useful tools to diagnose heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Their accuracy in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) is less known. This study evaluates the association of these scores with invasive left atrial pressure (LAP) and the additional value of cardiac measures. Methods: This is a multicenter observational prospective study involving patients undergoing ablation of AF. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40%, congenital cardiopathy, any severe cardiac valve disease and prosthetic valves were excluded. Elevated filling pressure was defined as a mean LAP ≥15 mmHg. Results: A total of 135 patients were enrolled in the study (mean age 65.2 ± 9.1 years, 32% female, mean LVEF 56.9 ± 7.9%). Patients with H₂FPEF ≥ 6 or HFA-PEFF ≥5 had higher values of NTproBNP and more impaired cardiac function. However, neither H₂FPEF nor HFA-PEFF score showed a meaningful association with elevated mean LAP (respectively, OR 1.05 [95%CI 0.83–1.34] p = 0.64, and OR 1.09 [95%CI: 0.86–1.39] p = 0.45). The addition of LA indexed minimal volume (LAVi min) improved the ability of the scores (baseline C-statistic 0.51 [95%CI 0.41–0.61] for the H₂FPEF score and 0.53 [95%CI 0.43–0.64] for the HFA-PEFF score) to diagnose elevated filling pressure (H₂FPEF + LAVi min: C-statistic 0.70 [95%CI 0.60–0.80], p-value = 0.005; HFA-PEFF + LAVi min: C-statistic 0.70 [95%CI 0.60–0.80], p-value = 0.02). Conclusion: In a cohort of patients with a history of AF, the use of the available diagnostic scores did not predict elevated mean LAP. The integration of LAVi min improved the ability to correctly identify elevated filling pressure.