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 American College of Cardiology (ACC) has published a new guidance document focused on the treatment of patients who present with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and other chronic conditions sch as hypertension, diabetes and atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Beta-blockers make little difference for heart attack patients without heart failure or LVSD

The researchers, sharing their work in the American Journal of Cardiology, suggested multiple reasons why this may be the case. 

January 15, 2021

American College of Cardiology shares new treatment guidelines for HFrEF, emphasizing team-based approach

The document, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, includes updated data and new treatment strategies. 

January 12, 2021
Vaccination

Why heart failure patients should receive a COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible

New research, published in ESC Heart Failure, details why heart failure patients are a high-risk group and will benefit from vaccination. 

January 7, 2021
Covid Vaccine

‘Safe and effective’: Heart Failure Society of America urges patients to get COVID-19 vaccine

"Being vaccinated is an important step in prevention," one specialist said.

December 23, 2020
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Immune checkpoint inhibitors increase risk of myocarditis, arrhythmias, heart failure and CV death

The study’s authors tracked data from more than 13,000 patients with malignant melanoma and more than 25,000 patients with lung cancer.

December 16, 2020
Big Social Data

EHR data detects patients at a higher risk of AFib, stroke or heart failure

When the patient had a history of stroke or heart failure, the researchers noted, their prediction model was less accurate. 

December 10, 2020
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How fracking affects the health of heart failure patients

Fracking was linked to an especially high risk of hospitalization for HFpEF and HFrEF patients.

December 8, 2020

Heart damage related to COVID-19 detected in 2-month-old infant

A 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed clear signs of myocardial injury related to COVID-19 and symptoms of heart failure.

December 2, 2020

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

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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