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).

Statin therapy may help HFpEF patients lower their risk of death, heart attack or stroke
All participants were free of ASCVD and had no history of statin use at the start of the study.
Diabetic cardiomyopathy treatment shows promise in ARISE-HF
James Januzzi Jr., MD, said the treatment's overall impact was neutral, but he and his team saw "a very clear and encouraging signal."
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.

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

Pig heart transplant patient doing well weeks after procedure—he even watched the Super Bowl

The 57-year-old patient is working with physical therapists on a daily basis, according to a recent update from the University of Maryland Medical Center.

March 4, 2022

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) can be used to significantly improve mortality and hospitalization rates among older heart failure patients. CRT-D illustration courtesy of Boston Scientific.

CRT-D associated with major improvements among older HFrEF patients

The study's authors said CRT use among older patients represents a "major gap in knowledge."

March 3, 2022

COVID-19 vaccines help reduce the serious coronavirus infections and hospitalizations. Multiple studies have shown that the risk from very rare vaccine side effects are far outweighed by the much greater risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID infections.

How COVID-19 vaccination affects the risk of ED visits for cardiac, respiratory issues

The study's authors said their research “further highlights the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine overall.”

February 28, 2022

FDA approves empagliflozin for reducing risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization among adult HFpEF patients

The SGLT2 inhibitor, already approved for some high-risk heart failure patients, has now received a much wider approval.

February 24, 2022

Abbott has received an expanded FDA indication approval for its CardioMEMs HF System, making the solution available for patients in earlier stages (NYHA stage II) of heart failure (HF). New FDA indication for CardioMEMS

Abbott implantable heart failure monitor gains expanded FDA approval

An estimated 1.2 million additional patients are now candidates for the company's small CardioMEMs HF monitor.

February 22, 2022

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

Empagliflozin helps heart failure patients stay out of the hospital

The study's authors focused on data from the previously completed EMPEROR-Reduced and EMPERIOR-Preserved trials.

February 15, 2022

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

Implantable atrial shunt therapy trial identifies treatable HFpEF patients

The REDUCE LAP-HF II study identified heart failure patients who may benefit from receiving a new transcatheter implant manufactured by Corvia Medical.

February 9, 2022

AEE use during CIED procedures for HFrEF patients not always cost-effective

The use of these devices when treating certain high-risk patients is still recommended.

February 2, 2022

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Heart Failure

Statin therapy may help HFpEF patients lower their risk of death, heart attack or stroke

Diabetic cardiomyopathy treatment shows promise in ARISE-HF

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

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