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).

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

Impella heart pumps boost survival up to 81% for cardiogenic shock patients

The heart pumps appear to provide significant benefits for patients with acute myocardial infarction- or myocarditis-related cardiogenic shock. 

September 28, 2022
USPSTF updates its stance on aspirin use to prevent CVD, sees no benefit for patients 60 or older.

HFpEF patients with MR may face a higher mortality risk—but not if they have AFib

There is an established connection between MR and HFrEF, but we know much less about the link between MR and HFpEF. 

September 13, 2022
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Cardiologists identify a potential new side effect of monkeypox: acute myocarditis

A 31-year-old patient developed acute myocarditis shortly after the onset of monkeypox symptoms. The team that treated him shared their story in a new case study.

September 2, 2022
Recall | Product recall

FDA announces a new recall of more than 23,000 batteries for Medtronic’s HVAD system

This latest recall was initiated because electrical faults could cause the batteries to stop working, which leads to a risk of serious injury or death.

August 25, 2022
Even patients who were never hospitalized for COVID-19 face a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues. #longcovid

Myocarditis risk higher after COVID-19 infection than after vaccination, new study of 43 million patients confirms

The new analysis, published in Circulation, confirmed that vaccine-related myocarditis is incredibly rare.

August 24, 2022

NSAID use may not be safe for older patients with type 2 diabetes

The new analysis, based on data from more than 330,000 patients, is scheduled to be presented during ESC Congress 2022. 

August 23, 2022
Jianyi "Jay" Zhang, MD, PhD, is leading research on growing new heart muscle cells

Researchers receive $11.2M to study how the heart recovers from significant damage

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, awarded the funds to three research teams. 

August 23, 2022
A heart attack is caused when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked with a clot.

Study the signs: The most common symptoms of 6 cardiovascular diseases

A new scientific statement details the most common symptoms associated with heart attacks, heart failure and other cardiac conditions. Importantly, the authors wrote, clinicians must remember that symptoms can vary between men and women. 

August 19, 2022

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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