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).

Keto diet ‘does not fulfill the criteria of a healthy diet,’ could be harmful for heart patients
The popular high-fat, low-carb diet is associated with multiple short-term benefits, but they appear to diminish over time.
Bayer subsidiary granted FDA’s fast track designation for new congestive heart failure treatment
AskBio, acquired by Bayer for more than $2 billion in 2020, is enrolling patients for a new clinical trial focused on the therapy's effectiveness in adult patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
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.

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

November 10, 2022

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

David Bennett with two of his physical therapists at the University of Maryland Medical Center. #pigheart #pighearttransplant #heartfailure

ECG data from historic pig heart transplant surprise electrophysiologists

“This was a true milestone for research on xenotransplantation," one specialist said. The full analysis is scheduled to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2022 in Chicago.

November 1, 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.

Abiomed heart pump gains FDA approval to treat acute right heart failure

The device includes dual-sensor technology, an 11 French indwelling catheter and a flexible cannula.

October 31, 2022

USPSTF updates its stance on aspirin use to prevent CVD, sees no benefit for patients 60 or older.

Dapagliflozin still beneficial for HFpEF, HFmrEF patients with AFib

While some heart failure medications are less effective in patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation, new research suggests that is not the case for dapagliflozin.

October 27, 2022

Regulatory Roundup: FDA approves new heart failure therapy, clears an interventional device and much more

The FDA has been busy this month. Review some of the biggest FDA-related stories of October, including big news from scPharmaceuticals, Abiomed, Bristol Myers Squibb and MedAlliance, in our monthly roundup.

October 26, 2022

Around the web

Health Imaging

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.

Radiology Business

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

Keto diet ‘does not fulfill the criteria of a healthy diet,’ could be harmful for heart patients

Bayer subsidiary granted FDA’s fast track designation for new congestive heart failure treatment

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

Around the web