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).

LBBAP limits hospital readmissions after TAVR
Left bundle branch area pacing is associated with better long-term outcomes than traditional right ventricular pacing when patients require PPMI after TAVR, according to new research in Heart Rhythm.
FDA approves Boston Scientific leads for left bundle branch area pacing
Boston Scientific's INGEVITY+ pacing leads were originally approved by the FDA back in 2019. They can now be used for LBBAP, a new alternative to biventricular pacing.
JACC editor excited by progress during a 'very important moment' for cardiology
Harlan Krumholz, MD, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, explains some of the key technology and treatment trends he has his eyes on.
FDA approves Biotronik lead, catheter for left bundle branch area pacing
LBBAP is a relatively new alternative to biventricular pacing. The FDA's decision was based largely on data from the BIO-CONDUCT clinical trial.
Surgeons make history, perform world’s first fully robotic heart transplant
The procedure, which lasted roughly two and half hours, was performed on a 16-year-old patient with end-stage heart failure.

Cardiologists identify a potential new side effect of monkeypox: acute myocarditis

A 31-year-old patient developed acute myocarditis shortly after the onset of monkeypox symptoms. The team that treated him shared their story in a new case study.

September 2, 2022

FDA announces a new recall of more than 23,000 batteries for Medtronic’s HVAD system

This latest recall was initiated because electrical faults could cause the batteries to stop working, which leads to a risk of serious injury or death.

August 25, 2022

Myocarditis risk higher after COVID-19 infection than after vaccination, new study of 43 million patients confirms

The new analysis, published in Circulation, confirmed that vaccine-related myocarditis is incredibly rare.

August 24, 2022

NSAID use may not be safe for older patients with type 2 diabetes

The new analysis, based on data from more than 330,000 patients, is scheduled to be presented during ESC Congress 2022.

August 23, 2022

Jianyi "Jay" Zhang, MD, PhD, is leading research on growing new heart muscle cells

Researchers receive $11.2M to study how the heart recovers from significant damage

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, awarded the funds to three research teams.

August 23, 2022

Study the signs: The most common symptoms of 6 cardiovascular diseases

A new scientific statement details the most common symptoms associated with heart attacks, heart failure and other cardiac conditions. Importantly, the authors wrote, clinicians must remember that symptoms can vary between men and women.

August 19, 2022