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.

EHR data detects patients at a higher risk of AFib, stroke or heart failure

When the patient had a history of stroke or heart failure, the researchers noted, their prediction model was less accurate.

December 10, 2020

How fracking affects the health of heart failure patients

Fracking was linked to an especially high risk of hospitalization for HFpEF and HFrEF patients.

December 8, 2020

A 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed clear signs of myocardial injury related to COVID-19 and symptoms of heart failure.

December 2, 2020

Standing up for your health: Research links sedentary behavior with heart failure risk among older women

“Our message is simple: sit less and move more,” one researcher said.

November 25, 2020

Empagliflozin improves outcomes for non-diabetic HFrEF patients

Treatment with empagliflozin for six months was associated with several key improvements. This suggests that, yes, SGLT2 inhibitors can be recommended for HFrEF patients who don't have diabetes.

November 19, 2020

Risk of death nearly doubles when hospitalized COVID-19 patients have a history of heart failure

A history of heart failure was also associated with longer lengths of stay and an increased risk of mechanical ventilation.

October 30, 2020

Myocarditis may be less common among COVID-19 patients than previously believed

Researchers reviewed autopsy data from 22 different studies, sharing their findings in Cardiovascular Pathology.

October 30, 2020

Cardiologists uncover a new way to reverse heart damage—no transplant or lifelong LVAD use required

The research, published in Circulation, focused on the combination of pharmacologic therapy and the temporary use of a left ventricular assist device.

October 28, 2020

Heart Failure

LBBAP limits hospital readmissions after TAVR

FDA approves Boston Scientific leads for left bundle branch area pacing

JACC editor excited by progress during a 'very important moment' for cardiology

FDA approves Biotronik lead, catheter for left bundle branch area pacing

Surgeons make history, perform world’s first fully robotic heart transplant