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).

FDA announces another new recall involving Abbott’s HeartMate 3 LVADs after 70 injuries, 2 deaths
Abbott issued the new recall after receiving more than 80 reports of blood or air entering the LVAD during implant procedures. Customers can still use these devices, but they are advised to follow specific steps to limit the risk of complications.
COVID-19 vaccines helped heart failure patients stay out of the hospital and live longer
Vaccination was linked to key benefits in terms of all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, stroke, heart attack, myocarditis, venous thromboembolism and testing positive for COVID-19.
Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER
A 62-year-old women presented with severe MR and recurrent heart failure episodes. Initial data suggest the procedure was a success.
Confirmed: AFib ablation more beneficial for patients with HFrEF than those with HFpEF
Researchers explored data from nearly 2,500 AFib ablation patients, sharing their findings in JAMA Cardiology.
Statin therapy may help HFpEF patients lower their risk of death, heart attack or stroke
All participants were free of ASCVD and had no history of statin use at the start of the study.

FDA announces another new recall involving Abbott’s HeartMate 3 LVADs after 70 injuries, 2 deaths

Abbott issued the new recall after receiving more than 80 reports of blood or air entering the LVAD during implant procedures. Customers can still use these devices, but they are advised to follow specific steps to limit the risk of complications.

May 15, 2024

COVID-19 vaccine vaccination myocarditis heart damage inflammation RSNA imaging radiology cardiology

COVID-19 vaccines helped heart failure patients stay out of the hospital and live longer

Vaccination was linked to key benefits in terms of all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, stroke, heart attack, myocarditis, venous thromboembolism and testing positive for COVID-19.

May 13, 2024

Cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists in China have completed the very first-in-man robot-assisted transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). It was guided entirely with echo and completed in less than 40 minutes in China. (A)Three-compartment of robotic transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system.

Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER

A 62-year-old women presented with severe MR and recurrent heart failure episodes. Initial data suggest the procedure was a success.

May 2, 2024

IVUS guidance during DES implantation boosts long-term outcomes in new study

Confirmed: AFib ablation more beneficial for patients with HFrEF than those with HFpEF

Researchers explored data from nearly 2,500 AFib ablation patients, sharing their findings in JAMA Cardiology.

April 26, 2024

Continuous and high-adherent statin users had lower baseline arterial stiffness which also grew more slowly over time, a new JAMA Network Open study finds.

Statin therapy may help HFpEF patients lower their risk of death, heart attack or stroke

All participants were free of ASCVD and had no history of statin use at the start of the study.

April 24, 2024

Video of James Januzzi explaining the results of a new diabetic cardiomyopathy treatment in ACC 2024 late-breaking ARISE-HF trial. #ACC #ACC24 #ACC2024

Diabetic cardiomyopathy treatment shows promise in ARISE-HF

James Januzzi Jr., MD, said the treatment's overall impact was neutral, but he and his team saw "a very clear and encouraging signal."

April 23, 2024

Keto diet ‘does not fulfill the criteria of a healthy diet,’ could be harmful for heart patients

The popular high-fat, low-carb diet is associated with multiple short-term benefits, but they appear to diminish over time.

April 19, 2024

Bayer subsidiary granted FDA’s fast track designation for new congestive heart failure treatment

AskBio, acquired by Bayer for more than $2 billion in 2020, is enrolling patients for a new clinical trial focused on the therapy's effectiveness in adult patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

April 19, 2024