European Society of Cardiology Updates Heart Failure Guidelines

The European Society of Cardiology released updated 2026 heart failure guidelines, simplifying phenotypes into two categories: reduced ejection fraction (LVEF <50%) and preserved ejection fraction (LVEF ≥50%).

The guidelines replace the term 'acute' with 'decompensated' and introduce new therapy classifications, including foundational medical therapy and guideline-directed interventional therapy.

New recommendations include class I support for mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and class IIa support for semaglutide or tirzepatide in patients with preserved ejection fraction and obesity.