Sex differences are across nearly all aspects of heart failure, including risk factor profiles, clinical characteristics, treatment responses and prognosis. However, the underlying pathophysiological processes driving these differences remain poorly understood, and comprehensive sex-specific subgroup analyses assessing the efficacy and safety of new interventions are still lacking.
The thesis of Hailun Qin aims to shed light on a profound dimension: the epidemiology and pathophysiological mechanism underlying sex differences in patients with heart failure, and the impact of sex on treatment responses. The thesis describes that risk factor modiļ¬cation and control may potentially have greater benefits for women than for men in reducing the risk of new-onset heart failure. Another chapter revealed natriuresis-guided diuretic therapy in patients with acute heart failure reduced the risk of 180-day all-cause mortality or heart failure rehospitalization in men but not in women.
The thesis provides a deeper understanding of sex-related differences in heart failure, which may help address persistent disparities and ultimately inform the development of sex-specific prevention strategies and personalized therapeutic approaches.
