Association of tirzepatide with reverse cardiac remodeling and improved diastolic function in obesity-related HFpEF: A prospective real-world cohort study.

Background

Obesity-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is characterized by concentric remodeling, diastolic dysfunction, and systemic inflammation. Tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, produces substantial weight loss, but real-world echocardiographic evidence of cardiac reverse remodeling remains limited, particularly in prospective cohorts.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, single-center, longitudinal observational cohort study of 50 adults with obesity-related HFpEF (LVEF ≥50%, BMI ≥30 kg/m2) initiating tirzepatide in routine care. Co-primary endpoints were changes in left ventricular (LV) mass and the E/e' ratio from baseline to ≈6 months. Multiplicity was controlled via hierarchical gate-keeping with Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 5.8 months, mean LV mass decreased by -12.4 g (95% CI -15.4 to -9.4; q < 0.001; SRM -1.16) and E/e' improved by -1.45 (95% CI -1.85 to -1.11; q < 0.001; SRM -1.08). KCCQ score increased by +13.1 points (q < 0.001), 6-min walk distance by +43 m (q < 0.001), and BMI decreased by -5.8 kg/m2 (q < 0.001). NT-proBNP, hs-CRP, and hs-TnT all declined significantly (all q < 0.01). NYHA class improved in 30 patients (60%) with none worsening (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In real-world practice, tirzepatide use was associated with reverse cardiac remodeling, improved diastolic function, and better health status in obesity-related HFpEF. These findings complement randomized trial evidence and support further evaluation of incretin-based therapy in obesity-related HFpEF.