PEBC Cardiology Practice Test

Which statement best describes HF-pEF in relation to ejection fraction?

Decreased ejection fraction Valve stenosis as sole cause Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Decreased filling and relaxation

Correct Answer:

Decreased filling and relaxation

Explanation:

HFpEF means heart failure with a normal or near-normal ejection fraction. The key issue isn’t the heart’s ability to pump out blood (systolic function) but its ability to fill properly during diastole. The left ventricle is stiff or less compliant, so filling and relaxation are impaired, leading to higher filling pressures and heart‑failure symptoms despite a preserved ejection fraction. That’s why the statement describing decreased filling and relaxation best matches HFpEF in relation to ejection fraction. By contrast, a decreased ejection fraction points to HF with reduced EF, and the other choices describe conditions or contributors that aren’t the defining feature of HFpEF.

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