Low diastolic blood pressure and adverse outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Background: It remains unknown whether a low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) increases the risks of cardiovascular events and death in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods: We used data from the TOPCAT trial. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Hazard ratios (HRs) were analyzed for DBPs of <60, 60-69,70-79, and >= 90 mm Hg in comparison with a DBP of 80-89 mm Hg using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Results: This study included 3417 patients with HFpEF who had a controlled blood pressure. In the mean follow-up period of 3.0 years, 881 patients experienced at least one confirmed primary outcome event. Compared with patients with a DBP of 80-89 mm Hg, the adjusted HRs for primary outcome events were significantly higher in those with DBPs of <600 mm Hg (HR: 2.19 [95% confidence interval,1.72-2.78]) and 60-69 mm Hg (HR: 1.52 [1.23-1.871). Similarly, the adjusted HRs for all-cause death, major cardiovascular events, and hospitalization for heart failure, but not stroke, were significantly higher in patients with a DBP of <70 mm Hg. A relationship between a low DBP and adverse outcomes was found in HFpEF patients with a systolic blood pressure of >= 120 mm Hg; however, a low systolic blood pressure with a DBP of >= 70 mm Hg was not associated with these event risks. Conclusions: A low DBP increased the risks of adverse outcomes in patients with HFpEF. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.