Classification

There have been many classifications of heart failure. Most have not proven therapeutically useful.

• the classification of heart failure according to whether the right or left ventricle is predominantly affected may help with an understanding of clinical symptoms and signs
• a recent classification, which may impact on treatment, is according to whether the defect in left ventricular function is predominantly systolic or diastolic
• some authorities use the ejection fraction to classify HF into
• heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) or heart failure with a normal ejection fraction (HFNEF). - these patients have heart failure but do not have any evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD)
• heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) also commonly called systolic heart failure (SHF) - these patients have reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (1,2)

Reference:

• (1) National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 2010. Chronic heart failure. National clinical guideline for diagnosis and management in primary and secondary care
• (2) Sanderson JE. Heart failure with a normal ejection fraction. Heart. 2007;93(2):155-8.