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).

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
Purvi Parwani, MD, director of echocardiography, Loma Linda University Medical Center, explains the trend where heart failure imaging guidelines are driving a rising use of mixed multimodality imaging. #ASE #ASE2023

Multimodality imaging helps cardiologists manage heart failure patients—with an assist from AI

Purvi Parwani, MD, discussed the trend toward multimodality imaging for heart failure management. All modalities have their own weaknesses, she explained. 

September 7, 2023
doctor with overweight patient who may be treated with TAVR or surgery

Deaths from obesity-related CVD have skyrocketed in US, especially among Black adults

According to a new analysis of more than 280,000 deaths, the number of obesity-related cardiovascular deaths in the United States tripled from 1999 to 2020. 

September 6, 2023
Product Recall

FDA shares update on heart devices linked to multiple recalls and patient deaths

The devices, designed to provide temporary support to a patient's left ventricle, have been associated with a long list of issues in recent months. 

September 1, 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."

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