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).

AI artificial intelligence stethoscope doctor

AI models for predicting heart failure still far from perfect

Advanced AI models can evaluate a patient's heart failure risk using 12-lead ECG data—but there is still some room for improvement. 

January 5, 2024
Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest health network, recently announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Complete Care to acquire a majority of its long-term care facilities. 

Falls, infections much more likely among Medicare patients treated at private equity-owned hospitals

Private equity is becoming more and more influential in many healthcare specialties, including cardiology. This has prompted increased speculation about the impact such investments may have on patient outcomes.

January 3, 2024
Patient doctor

Transplant recipients may face risk of aging-related complications if receiving a much older heart

Early research suggests initiating therapy with senescence-inhibiting drugs could limit the risk of these side effects. 

January 2, 2024
Abbott’s HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been implanted in thousands of U.S. patients in recent years.According to a new investigative report from CBS News and KFF Health News, however, safety data related to the device have raised questions in certain parts of the healthcare industry.

Former FDA employees share concerns about heart device safety data

Abbott's HeartMate 3 LVAD is the only FDA-approved device of its kind currently available in the United States. Should reports of adverse events worry cardiologists? Or are they to be expected when treating such a vulnerable patient population?

December 18, 2023
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‘A true breakthrough’: The eye-opening potential of GLP-1 agonists to treat heart, kidney disease in addition to obesity

While GLP-1 drugs were originally developed to treat diabetes, researchers keep finding additional ways these medications can potentially benefit patients.

December 15, 2023
Doctor patient

Dapagliflozin improves symptoms in some, but not all, heart failure patients

The popular SGLT2 inhibitor, sold under the brand name Farxiga, is approved by the FDA to treat heart failure, type 2 diabetes and CKD. Recent data on its ability to affect the symptoms of heart failure patients have been inconsistent. 

December 7, 2023
BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart. BiVACOR, an international medical device company with headquarters in the United States and Australia, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to kick off an early feasibility study (EFS) for its total artificial heart (TAH) technology.

FDA approves early feasibility study for total artificial heart technology

The device is intended to be a bridge for heart failure patients waiting to receive a full heart transplant.

December 1, 2023
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Cardiologist receives $7M for 5-year study to boost care for heart failure patients

The research will focus on ways to improve the utilization of electronic resources among heart failure patients and the doctors who treat them.

November 29, 2023

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