Cardiovascular Mechanics in Heart Failure Assessment
Summary
Heart failure arises from an inability of the heart to supply adequate blood flow to meet the body’s demands, driven by complex alterations in myocardial contractile function, chamber compliance and intracardiac haemodynamics. Assessment of cardiovascular mechanics integrates measures of systolic performance, notably ejection fraction, with diastolic properties such as ventricular stiffness and filling pressures. Structural remodelling of the left ventricle—ranging from concentric hypertrophy to eccentric dilation—modulates wall stress and influences both the rate and extent of chamber filling. Noninvasive imaging modalities, particularly cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), have become pivotal in quantifying myocardial strain, chamber volumes and tissue characteristics. Computational modelling has further elucidated the mechanical interplay between fibre stiffness, extracellular matrix changes and global pump function, revealing distinct phenotypes within heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Together, these approaches enable an integrated view of myocardial deformation, ventricular loading conditions and prognosis, guiding individualised therapy and novel interventional strategies.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Cardiovascular Mechanics in Heart Failure Assessment publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cardiovascular mechanics in heart failure assessment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Ejection fraction (EF): The percentage of end-diastolic blood volume ejected from the ventricle during systole, serving as a key measure of systolic function.
Global longitudinal strain (GLS): A dimensionless index of longitudinal myocardial deformation during systole, indicating subclinical systolic impairment even when EF is preserved.
Ventricular remodelling: Structural adaptations of the ventricular myocardium in response to chronic loading changes, encompassing alterations in geometry, wall thickness and myocyte arrangement.
Left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP): The pressure within the ventricle during diastole that reflects ventricular compliance and the load on the atrium.
Diastolic dysfunction: Impairment of ventricular relaxation or increased chamber stiffness, leading to elevated filling pressures and compromised cardiac output despite preserved systolic contraction.
References
- Computational investigation of the role of ventricular remodelling in HFpEF: The key to phenotype dissection. Computers in Biology and Medicine (2024).
- Cardiac magnetic resonance identifies raised left ventricular filling pressure: prognostic implications. European Heart Journal (2022).
- Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking for characterization of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: correlation of global longitudinal strain with invasive diastolic functional indices. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (2020).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.