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.

Cancer shortens lifespan of organ transplant patients, especially those receiving a new lung or heart

Nearly 6% of transplant recipients developed cancer within 10 years of the procedure, researchers reported.

September 20, 2021

Updated FDA policy could improve treatment for up to 1.8 million HF patients

Expanded FDA labeling for sacubitril/valsartan could make a massive impact on patient care in the next three years.

September 16, 2021

Risk score predicts new‐onset HF among AFib patients in the ED

The study's authors hope their work can help high-risk patients receive the care they need.

September 14, 2021

Dapagliflozin significantly improves HFpEF symptoms

One researcher described the findings, presented at the Heart Failure Society of America's Annual Scientific Meeting, as "great news for patients and clinicians."

September 13, 2021

Specialists explore relationship between COVID-19 and heart failure, highlighting importance of vaccination

"The rise of the delta variant of COVID-19 is a reminder that this pandemic is not over," the president of the Heart Failure Society of America said in a statement.

September 1, 2021