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 new recall of Abbott heart pump accessories over significant safety risks
The mobile power units of certain HeartMate 3 and HeartMate II LVADs have been experiencing “sudden, unexpected performance issues” such as turning on, off or even restarting with no warning. These issues can potentially be fatal, according to an alert shared by the FDA.
FDA approves leadless CRT device for heart failure
The WiSE CRT system is approximately the size of a single cooked grain of rice. It works with a patient’s existing implant to provide biventricular pacing.
Implantable IVC sensor shows early potential to guide heart failure management
The goal is to measure changes in a patient’s IVC area and collapsibility, which can help anticipate when heart failure events might occur. This first-in-human study included data from the first 50 patients to receive the device.
Many older heart failure patients are alone and vulnerable—what can be done to help?
Older heart failure patients with no immediate family are especially vulnerable. Additional interventions may be necessary to reach these patients and provide the best care possible.
Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation
Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has declared climate change as a major healthcare emergency. Sunrises and sunsets have become increasingly red in recent years with additional particulate matter in the atmosphere from larger, massive wild fires. Photo by Dave Fornell

Killer heat: How climate change could lead to more cardiovascular deaths

A new study to examine the relationship between extreme-heat events and cardiovascular mortality found that the hottest days can indeed be deadly.

FDA announces another recall for troubled heart device after a patient death

This latest recall involves the device's batteries, which are separating due to a "welding defect."

The 10 most common reasons for hospitalization after a heart transplant

While a vast majority of heart transplants in the United States are successful, unplanned hospitalizations after the procedures are still incredibly common.

The Corvia Atrial Shunt is designed to address elevated left atrial pressure (LAP) heart failure patients.

Corvia Medical raises $54M to continue studying implantable heart failure treatment

The company will use the funds to follow up on what it learned from the REDUCE LAP-HF II clinical trial.

New insights into what causes cardiac hypertrophy—and how to treat it

“We have finally been able to pinpoint one of the key reasons why the heart muscle wall thickens," one researcher said.

Medtronic is once again recalling its HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) pump implant kit, a part of the company’s HeartWare HVAD system. This is a Class I recall, which means using the device can lead to serious injury or death. The new recall includes more than 1,600 devices distributed from October 2006 to June 2021.

FDA announces another recall of Medtronic HVAD pump implant kits—1 patient death reported

The recall includes more than 1,600 devices distributed from October 2006 to June 2021. Medtronic's HVAD system has already been associated with multiple issues, including a separate recall in 2021.

cocaine heart failure HFrEF LVEF hospitalizations beta-blockers hypertension cardiology

How cocaine use affects outcomes for hospitalized heart failure patients

When cocaine users are hospitalized for heart failure, what should physicians expect? Are beta-blockers an effective treatment strategy?

EHR alerts boost care for patients with HFrEF

Simple EHR alerts helped one health system get more guideline-recommended medications to its heart failure patients.

Heart Failure

FDA announces new recall of Abbott heart pump accessories over significant safety risks

FDA approves leadless CRT device for heart failure

Implantable IVC sensor shows early potential to guide heart failure management

Many older heart failure patients are alone and vulnerable—what can be done to help?

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation