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).

2 out of 5 AFib patients develop heart failure later in life
Stroke is typically seen as the biggest danger for patients after they receive an AFib diagnosis. This study, however, suggests heart failure could be an even bigger threat.
FDA announces new recall of Abbott’s HeartMate LVADs after 14 deaths
The issue at the center of this recall, which includes both the HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 LVAD, is the gradual buildup of biological materials. This can impact the device's performance, creating a heightened risk of injury or death.
Inter-atrial shunt in RELIEVE-HF improves symptoms in HFrEF, but not HFpEF
Gregg Stone, MD, explains the details of the late-breaking RELIEVE-HF trial at ACC.24, where an inter-atrial shunt improved symptoms in HFrEF, but not in HFpEF patients.
Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments
CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open.
Weight loss drug semaglutide benefits obese patients presenting with HFpEF, type 2 diabetes
The new research, based on data from more than 600 patients, was presented at ACC.24 in Atlanta and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Semaglutide is sold by Novo Nordisk under the brand name Wegovy.

Telehealth can provide significant value when it comes to managing and monitoring patients with CVD or suspected CVD. A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association explores the latest details on this evolving treatment option.

Cardiologist-founded virtual cardiology clinic raises $8M to expand heart failure offerings

The company hopes this new round of funding from private-equity investors will help its home-based care model flourish and reach more patients than ever before.

October 19, 2023

Dihydropyridines such as amlodipine have been the topic of some debate in recent months due to fears they lead to significant side effects.

October 13, 2023

High-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with an Impella heart pump is associated with better outcomes, including a significantly higher survival rate, than high-risk PCI with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), according to new findings published in the American Journal of Cardiology. Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

FDA warns Abiomed about ‘significant violations’ related to its Impella heart pumps

The agency said Abiomed did not seek the necessary approvals for one Impella-related device and was slow to act on certain safety concerns.

October 12, 2023

Endotronix gains key approval from FDA, shares new heart failure data

The company can now begin the enrollment process for its PROACTIVE-HF 2 clinical trial, which will focus on treating patients with NYHA class II heart failure.

October 11, 2023

CBD could be beneficial for some heart failure patients

The subcutaneous administration of CBD could make a significant impact on patient outcomes, according to new findings presented at the Heart Failure Society of America's annual meeting in Cleveland.

October 10, 2023

Patisiran, marketed under the name Onpattro

FDA chooses not to approve patisiran for treating ATTR cardiomyopathy

The announcement came just weeks after an FDA subcommittee voted in favor of approval.

October 9, 2023

Elderly patient doctor. Despite an expanded indication from the FDA and lower prices, patient access to these cholesterol-lowering medications remains a significant issue.

What is CKM syndrome? American Heart Association outlines how to identify and manage a dangerous new condition

The American Heart Association has developed an updated strategy for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. A newly defined health condition, cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, sits at the center of that strategy.

October 9, 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being developed to help make cardiovascular clinical trials more efficient, lead to faster advances in patient care, and bring possible new treatments to heart patients more quickly. The major cardiac research center of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai announced today that it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chiba Institute of Technology (CIT) to collaborate on using AI to enhance cardiovascular disease research.

Mount Sinai partners with the Chiba Institute of Technology on AI to transform cardiovascular research

Agreement aims to use AI to help make cardiology clinical trials more efficient and lead to faster advances in patient care.

October 5, 2023

Around the web

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New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

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

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What does radiology have to do with climate change?

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."

Heart Failure

2 out of 5 AFib patients develop heart failure later in life

FDA announces new recall of Abbott’s HeartMate LVADs after 14 deaths

Inter-atrial shunt in RELIEVE-HF improves symptoms in HFrEF, but not HFpEF

Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments

Weight loss drug semaglutide benefits obese patients presenting with HFpEF, type 2 diabetes

Around the web