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).

Doctor patient with masks

Cancer survivors face a 42% higher risk of CVD

More aggressive CVD prevention tactics may make sense for people who have had certain types of cancer.

June 29, 2022
doctor patient spanish hispanic young man.png

5 ways to improve care for heart failure patients with limited English proficiency

Researchers interviewed professional medical interpreters, sharing some of the lessons they learned in JACC: Heart Failure.

June 28, 2022
David Bennett

New details on the pig heart transplant patient's death, from the doctors who treated him

Doctors involved with the historic procedure shared key details about their experience in the New England Journal of Medicine.

June 27, 2022
The American Medical Association (AMA) has declared climate change as a major healthcare emergency. Sunrises and sunsets have become increasingly red in recent years with additional particulate matter in the atmosphere from larger, massive wild fires. Photo by Dave Fornell

Killer heat: How climate change could lead to more cardiovascular deaths

A new study to examine the relationship between extreme-heat events and cardiovascular mortality found that the hottest days can indeed be deadly.

June 24, 2022
Product Recall

FDA announces another recall for troubled heart device after a patient death

This latest recall involves the device's batteries, which are separating due to a "welding defect." 

June 23, 2022
While a vast majority of heart transplants in the United States are successful, unplanned hospitalizations after the procedures are still incredibly common. Top 10 reasons for readmission after heart transplant.

The 10 most common reasons for hospitalization after a heart transplant

While a vast majority of heart transplants in the United States are successful, unplanned hospitalizations after the procedures are still incredibly common.

June 16, 2022
The Corvia Atrial Shunt is designed to address elevated left atrial pressure (LAP) heart failure patients.

Corvia Medical raises $54M to continue studying implantable heart failure treatment

The company will use the funds to follow up on what it learned from the REDUCE LAP-HF II clinical trial.

June 14, 2022
boris-martinac-lab-mechanobiology-team_web-1080px.jpeg

New insights into what causes cardiac hypertrophy—and how to treat it

“We have finally been able to pinpoint one of the key reasons why the heart muscle wall thickens," one researcher said. 

June 13, 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."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup