Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump as much blood as the body requires. This ineffective pumping can lead to enlargement of the heart as the myocardium works harder pump the same amount of blood. Heart failure may be caused by defects in the myocardium, such as an a heart attack infarct, or due to structural issues such as severe heart valve regurgitation. Heart failure can be divided into HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The disease is further divided into four New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes. Stage IV heart failure is when the heart is completely failing and requires a heart transplant or hemodynamic support from a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

The power of AI: Advanced algorithm IDs heart issues using Apple Watch data

A team of Mayo Clinic specialists led the analysis, sharing their findings in Nature Medicine.

November 23, 2022
Abiomed’s Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist heart pump has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute right heart failure for up to 14 days.

Surgeons make history, become first in world to implant Abiomed’s new heart pump for right heart failure

Two specialists with Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey performed the procedure. The patient, a 71-year-old woman, is doing well. 

November 22, 2022
Flu Shots can help lower risk factors to prevent cardiac events in a new study. Flu shots are associated with a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular complications or pneumonia in patients with heart failure, according to new findings published in The Lancet Global Health.

Tracking the health benefits of influenza vaccines: ‘If you have heart failure, you should get your flu shot’

The new analysis focused on data from more than 5,000 heart failure patients throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

November 17, 2022
Image from the American Heart Association (AHA) annual scientific sessions where a large amount of late-breaking cardiology science is presented. #AHA #AHA22 #AHA2022

Links to the American Heart Association 2022 late-breaking studies

The American Heart Association 2022 Scientific Sessions included 35 late-breaking studies and 39 featured science sessions presented at the meeting in Chicago, Nov. 5-7. Here is the list of all these studies with links to more information on the data.

November 11, 2022
patient_exam_cardiology_covid_dr_cowan_beaumont.jpeg

COVID-related myocarditis linked to significantly worse outcomes than non-COVID cases

The new study, published in Current Problems in Cardiology, included data from nearly 18,000 adult patients. 

November 10, 2022
Vaccine

An updated look at the risk of heart damage associated with 2 popular COVID-19 vaccines

The risk of developing vaccine-related myocarditis, pericarditis or myopericarditis remains very low, researchers wrote. 

November 8, 2022
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can help patients with severe COVID-19 make a successful recovery. Venovenous ECMO (VV-ECMO) has the potential to minimize lung damage compared to conventional mechanical ventilation. ECMO unit in service with the COVID care unit at Banner Medical Center in Phoenix.

Early use of ECMO fails to improve cardiogenic shock outcomes, surprising cardiologists

"We expected to see a significant improvement in outcomes for patients with severe or rapidly progressing cardiogenic shock who underwent early ECMO treatment," one specialist said. 

November 7, 2022
Tablet projecting metaphorical medical hologram

AI-powered ECG screening boosts patient outcomes—when clinicians give it a chance

New research out of Mayo Clinic found that clinicians who listened to AI-based treatment recommendations were more successful at identifying patients with low ejection fraction. 

November 3, 2022

Around the web

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Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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