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).

artificial intelligence AI in healthcare

Early use of tirzepatide after heart attack or stroke linked to key cardiovascular benefits

When patients without diabetes land in the hospital after a heart attack or stroke, early treatment with tirzepatide may prove beneficial. 

A single injection of saNppa lipid nanoparticles enables self-amplification and high-yield pro-ANP production for more than 28 days. Circulating pro-ANP is selectively cleaved by the cardiac protease corin into active ANP, activating NPR1/cGMP signaling in the heart. Image courtesy of Science, Kaiyue Zhang et al. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu9394

Single injection could help heal heart attack damage

Amplifying the body’s natural release of a specific hormone may reduce stress on the heart and limit long‑term damage after myocardial infarctions.  

Afnan Tariq, MD, JD, FSCAI, FACC, an interventional cardiologist, assistant clinical professor of medicine at University of California, Irvine, presented first-in-man data on a passive, device-agnostic artificial intelligence (AI) platform for heart failure monitoring using consumer wearables at the recent Technology and Heart Failure Therapeutics (THT) 2026 meeting. The study showed the AI could help lower repeat hospitalizations.

AI turns wearable device data into actionable insights for heart failure patients

Afnan Tariq, MD, discusses early data on a passive, device-agnostic AI platform for heart failure monitoring. “When clinicians are empowered with insights and able to act earlier, you're able to have a durable impact," he said.

Heart failure hospitalizations after PCI: a warning sign of ‘exceptionally high risk’

Nonfatal adverse events after PCI are associated with an increased risk of two-year mortality. That risk is especially high, it seems, when patients are hospitalized for heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath and edema. 

heart drugs with stethoscope

Prior authorization may reduce access to important heart failure drugs

Researchers noted that these requirements are more common for Black and Hispanic patients, creating a critical barrier to guideline-recommended care.

The Relief System from Relief Cardiovascular Inc. is a first of its kind device. It incorporates a valve and sensor implant that uses AI to intelligently modulate venous pressure using hemodynamic data. The system actively adjusts flow in the inferior vena cava (IVC), which lowers venous pressure to drive durable decongestion in heart failure.

New AI-enabled heart failure implant shows early potential

The AI-powered Relief System is able to modulate venous pressure using hemodynamic data. The goal is to help patients better manage heart failure congestion at home. 

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Heart failure biomarker identifies long-term risk in T-TEER patients

NT-proBNP measurements are often used to diagnose and manage heart failure. According to a new study of more than 2,000 patients, they can also provide value to cardiologists performing T-TEER.

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Did you make the list? CMS targets cardiologists for new heart failure payment model

More than 2,000 cardiologists are required to participate in the new payment model. According to CMS, the long-term goal is to track and reduce the high healthcare costs associated with treating heart failure.