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).

U.S. heart failure data includes encouraging signs, reasons for concern

The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, included data from nearly 1.8 million Medicare patients. 

October 23, 2020

Catheter ablation improves LVEF, boosts survival for heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation

Catheter ablation was consistently linked to more substantial LVEF improvements than pharmacological therapy.

October 23, 2020
Driven by its strategic goal to advance equity in the U.S. healthcare innovation sector, the American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced an initiative that supports leading industry stakeholders in committing to equitable health innovation opportunities targeted to improving health outcomes in historically marginalized communities. #Healthdisparities 

Vericiguat ineffective for patients with worsening HFpEF

The analysis included data from nearly 800 patients with a history of chronic heart failure. 

October 20, 2020
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Beta-blocker use benefits patients with HFrEF and chronic kidney disease

However, these trends do not appear to be true for all heart failure patients. 

October 19, 2020
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COVID-19 patients with a history of heart failure face considerably worse outcomes

In-hospital mortality, myocardial injury and acute kidney injury were all more common when patients with a history of heart failure tested positive for COVID-19. 

October 16, 2020

MitraClip an effective bridge strategy for advanced heart failure patients waiting for a heart transplant

The findings were presented Friday, Oct. 16, at TCT Connect 2020.

October 16, 2020
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How much is too much? Older heart failure patients often go home on 10 or more prescriptions

Clinicians should consider the potential negative impact of prescribing so many medications at once, the study's authors noted. 

October 13, 2020

A breakthrough on the horizon: Humans could begin receiving transplanted pig hearts by 2021

A longtime goal for cardiac surgeons now appears to be within reach, according to researchers out of Massachusetts General Hospital.

October 8, 2020

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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