HFpEF: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Innovation

This didactic session will provide a comprehensive, mechanistically driven update on HFpEF. Designed for clinicians, investigators, and trainees, the session integrates emerging biology, novel therapeutic strategies, and evolving approaches to risk stratification, with a focus on translating scientific advances into meaningful improvements in patient care.

The session will consist of four focused presentations, each highlighting a distinct but complementary dimension of HFpEF pathophysiology and management, followed by a moderated panel discussion. The session will open with “Adipokines and the Pathobiology of HFpEF,” which will examine the central role of metabolic dysfunction, adipose tissue signaling, and systemic inflammation. This will be followed by “Targeting Inflammation in HFpEF,” which will explore the role of inflammation and potential therapeutic targets. Next, “Exercise as Medicine in HFpEF: Exerkine–Mediated Effect” will focus on exercise training as a biologically active therapy for HFpEF. The session will close with “Predicting Outcomes in HFpEF: Current Tools and Emerging Insights,” addressing the critical need for improved prognostication.

The concluding panel discussion will integrate these talks and address key gaps and opportunities for future research.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the mechanistic role of adipokines play in the development and progression of HFpEF.
• Examine the role of inflammation in HFpEF as well as therapeutic targets.
• Distinguish the role of exercise training in HFpEF.
• Discuss the current and future state of HFpEF prognostication.