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).

cannabis use disorder marijuana joint weed smoking

Excessive cannabis use linked to greater risk of heart attack, other cardiovascular events

Researchers examined data from nearly 60,000 adults, focusing on individuals who have been diagnosed with Cannabis Use Disorder. 

September 29, 2023
American Heart Association and Joint Commission launch new Comprehensive Heart Attack Center certification.

Death after TAVR: Heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest stand out as 2 leading causes

A majority of patient deaths within two years of TAVR can be linked to cardiovascular complications, according to new research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Can follow-up care be improved to combat this trend? 

September 29, 2023

Overlapping concerns: 5 takeaways from a new study on CVD, CKD and type 2 diabetes among US adults

How common is it for patients to present with overlapping cardiac, renal and metabolic issues? A new analysis in JAMA Cardiology explored that very question.

September 28, 2023
Surgeons with University of Maryland Medical Center transplant a pig heart into a human patient for only the second time ever on Sept. 20 2023. Bartley P. Griffith, MD, a professor of surgery and clinical director of the cardiac xenotransplantation program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), and Muhammad M. Mohiuddin, MD, scientific director of the cardiac xenotransplantation program at UMSOM, performed the historic procedure. #pigheart

Surgeons make history again, transplant pig heart into human patient for second time ever

That same team that transplanted a pig heart into a human patient for the very first time in 2022 has now done it again. The patient is currently recovering from the procedure, which occurred on Sept. 20. 

September 25, 2023
Damaged Organ

FDA approves empagliflozin for treating chronic kidney disease

The popular SGLT2 inhibitor, sold by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company under the name Jardiance, has already been approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes and heart failure.

September 22, 2023
K-Clip Transvascular Tricuspid Repair System from Huihe Healthcare

Cardiologists use new annular clipping device for first time in US to treat severe tricuspid regurgitation

Interventional cardiologists with Henry Ford Health performed the historic procedure on an 85-year-old patient who had been experiencing worsening symptoms for a full year.

September 15, 2023

Low-cost generic programs offer CVD medications at affordable prices—but availability changes from one to the next

Programs managed by H-E-B, Kroger, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company and Walmart appear to offer the most options for CVD patients. When it comes to AFib and heart failure, however, researchers believe the choices could be improved. 

September 14, 2023
Arzhang Fallahi, MD, and David Hsi, MD, discussing imaging-based aortic stenosis screening

Q&A: Cardiologists explore the potential impact of a screening program for aortic stenosis

We already screen patients for breast cancer and lung cancer on a regular basis. Why not establish screening programs for aortic stenosis?

September 11, 2023

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