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).

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Oral heart failure drug receives FDA’s fast track designation

A clinical trial focused on patients with HFpEF is expected to be completed by July 2026.

pharmaceutical drug approval process

Some reviewers opposed FDA's approval of new drug for life-threatening disease

When the FDA approved elamipretide for the treatment of Barth syndrome, not everyone agreed with the agency's decision. 

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Transcaval access a safe, effective alternative during Impella implants

In some cases, researchers noted, cardiologists may need to rely on transcaval access during the treatment of a high-risk heart failure patient. 

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Large-scale policy changes fail to boost heart failure outcomes—what else is needed?

A system-wide initiative in Sweden helped hospitals reduce readmission rates and shorten lengths of stay. When it came to heart failure patients specifically, however, the changes barely made an impact.

cardiologists evaluating the human heart to provide a treatment strategy

Stem cell patch shows potential to heal heart patients—no surgery or transplant required

The new patch is implanted through a tiny incision and held in place with a biocompatible adhesive. It then helps the heart recover over time, replacing dead tissue that would typically never be able to regenerate. 

heart data research doctor cardiologist AI

Mitral annular calcification linked to higher heart failure risks

In fact, researchers wrote, MAC appears to influence a patient's odds of developing HFpEF even more than their BMI.

FDA panel to review first heart failure device of its kind

The shunt device being reviewed showed a 52% reduction in hospitalizations and favorable trends in mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. 

Ancora Heart AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System heart failure FDA

Transcatheter heart failure implant from Ancora Heart linked to positive 2-year data

The flexible device is attached to the inner wall of the left ventricle during a minimally invasive procedure. It was designed to reduce the size of the left ventricle over time.