Clinical trials in diastolic heart failure

Forty percent to 50% of patients with chronic heart failure have normal or relatively normal left ventricular ejections fractions. These are much more frequently women and tend to be older than those with reduced ejection fractions. In most, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction plays a major role in the genesis of heart failure. Until recently, these patients have been systematically excluded from heart failure trials, so that there are no proven treatments for this group. This article reviews the recent and ongoing trials in patients with diastolic heart failure, which hopefully will lead to improved treatment and outcomes.