External Body Pressure in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart Failure Study Population

Inclusion Criteria (Aim 1 and 2):

Age greater than or equal to 30 yrs
Established diagnosis of HFpEF with left ventricular ejection fraction greater than or equal to 50%
NYHA II-III symptoms
Stable HF drug regimen for the preceding 1 month
Wedge pressure greater than or equal to 15 mmHg at rest or greater than or equal to 25 mmHg with peak exercise
(For Aim 2 only) Scheduled for an elective right heart catheterization at Duke University Hospital.

Exclusion Criteria (Aim 1 and 2):

HF hospitalization for type I myocardial infarction within 3 months
Infiltrative (ie amyloid) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Uncontrolled atrial or ventricular arrhythmia
Chronic oxygen use
History of vasovagal syncope
Considered inappropriate to participate by PI or Sub-I
Healthy Volunteers (Controls)

Inclusion Criteria (Aim 1):

Age greater than or equal to 30 yrs
Able to speak English
Ambulatory [assistive devices ok]
Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria (Aim 1):

Acute myocardial infarction (3-5 days)
Unstable angina
Uncontrolled arrhythmia causing symptoms or haemodynamic compromise
Syncope
Active endocarditis
Acute myocarditis or pericarditis
Symptomatic severe aortic aneurysm
Uncontrolled asthma
Arterial desaturation at rest on room air <85%
Untreated left main stem coronary stenosis
Asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis
Severe untreated arterial hypertension at rest (>200 mm Hg systolic, >120 mm Hg diastolic)
Tachyarrhythmias or bradyarrhythmias
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Significant pulmonary hypertension
Thrombosis of the lower extremity until treated for a minimum of 2 weeks
Within 2 weeks of acute symptomatic pulmonary embolus
Abdominal aortic aneurysm >8.0 cm
Electrolyte abnormalities
Pregnancy
Inmate of correctional facility (i.e. prisoner)
Diagnosed history of dementia
Inability to ambulate independently
Considered inappropriate to participate by Principal Investigator