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).

Obesity Paradox Body Mass Index

New research debunks the ‘obesity paradox’

Using waist-to-height ratio instead of body mass index (BMI) eliminates the oft-debated "advantage" of being overweight or obese with a heart condition.

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins conducts research for the Effect of Microgravity on Drug Responses Using Engineered Heart Tissues (Cardinal Heart) investigation onboard the International Space Station, one of several cardiovascular experiments on the ISS in recent years. Two more cardiac experiements launched to the ISS in March 2023. NASA Image

Heart tissue heads to space for research on aging and impact of long spaceflights

These experiments, performed with help from NASA, are simply out of this world. 

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CVRx, Abbott share long-term heart failure data at THT 2023

CVRx and Abbott used the second annual THT conference as an opportunity to present updated data on their signature heart failure solutions.

FDA announces new Class I recall of troubled heart devices

The recall includes approximately 2,300 devices distributed to customers prior to July 24, 2017. There have been 44 complaints about this issue so far.

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Startup focused on heart failure monitoring raises $25M with help from Novo Holdings, Medtronic

The round was led by two new investors, Novo Holdings and Andera Partners. Several existing investors, including Medtronic, also participated.

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Long-term fasting improves heart-related outcomes for at-risk COVID-19 patients

New research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting has shown that long-term intermittent fasting improved outcomes for individuals with COVID-19 who also have a history of heart disease.

ACC 2023 program chair Douglas Drachman, MD, explains the top takeaways from the American College of Cardiology meeting. #ACC #ACC23

Key takeaways from the ACC 2023 annual meeting

ACC.23 Program Chair Doug Drachman, MD, explains what he saw as some of the key takeaways from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2023 annual meeting.

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High costs limit the value of dapagliflozin, empagliflozin as heart failure treatments

SGLT2 inhibitors such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are associated with improved outcomes among many heart failure patients. The medications are not cost-effective, however, limiting their overall value. Read the full economic analysis to learn more.