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).

Minor impairments in systolic function linked to heart failure, HFrEF in late life

Tracking a patient's longitudinal strain and circumferential strain may improve the ability to predict their risk of heart failure later in life. 

March 17, 2021
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FDA grants breakthrough device designation to new heart failure solution from Berlin Heals

The company also hopes to launch an early feasibility study in the United States in the near future. 

March 11, 2021
Covid Vaccine

5 important tips about COVID-19 vaccines for heart failure, heart transplant patients

As more and more Americans receive their COVID-19 vaccine, heart failure patients and heart transplant recipients may have specific questions about how they should proceed.

March 10, 2021
baseball

An encouraging update: Professional athletes rarely develop heart inflammation after a mild COVID-19 infection

After tracking data for nearly 800 professional athletes, the researchers found that no adverse cardiac events were reported after a mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection.

March 5, 2021

Healthcare groups from around the world unite to develop a standardized definition of heart failure

Current heart failure definitions are "ambiguous and lack standardization," the groups wrote.

March 2, 2021
Product Recall

FDA announces recall of Medtronic HVAD pump implant kits after 2 deaths, 19 serious injuries

This is a Class I recall, which means using the device can lead to serious injury or death.

March 2, 2021
Hypertension patients measured their blood pressure less frequently during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research published in Hypertension. In addition, when those patients did measure their blood pressure, the readings were less healthy than they had been before the pandemic.

How 64% of U.S. COVID-19 hospitalizations could have been avoided

“Medical providers should educate patients who may be at risk for severe COVID-19 and consider promoting preventive lifestyle measures,” one researcher said. 

February 25, 2021
Large peridevice leaks after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) are incredibly rare and not associated with a greater risk of adverse outcomes, according to new research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.[1] Smaller residual links are more common, however, and associated with a risk of thromboembolic and bleeding events.

FDA approves expanded indication for sacubitril/valsartan

Manufactured by Novartis under the name Entresto, the medication is now also approved for treating HFpEF. 

February 17, 2021

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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