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 sees value in no-implant heart failure device
The new atrial shunt from Alleviant Medical was designed to treat heart failure without leaving a permanent implant behind. The FDA granted the technology its breakthrough device designation and approved additional research.
FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders
The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.
‘Incredibly rewarding’: FDA expands total artificial heart study after early success
An additional 15 patients will now receive BiVacor's titanium total artificial heart technology as they wait for a permanent transplant.
Cardiologists perform world’s first leadless LBBAP procedures with Abbott pacemaker
The first-in-human procedures were performed in Prague with the investigational Aveir CSP leadless pacemaker system.
Cardiologists work to standardize the diagnosis and management of acute myocarditis
New expert recommendations from the American College of Cardiology were designed to help cardiologists, primary care physicians, emergency physicians, rheumatologists and other clinicians deliver the best care possible when managing suspected myocarditis.

COVID-19 patients with a history of heart failure face considerably worse outcomes

In-hospital mortality, myocardial injury and acute kidney injury were all more common when patients with a history of heart failure tested positive for COVID-19.

October 16, 2020

MitraClip an effective bridge strategy for advanced heart failure patients waiting for a heart transplant

The findings were presented Friday, Oct. 16, at TCT Connect 2020.

October 16, 2020

How much is too much? Older heart failure patients often go home on 10 or more prescriptions

Clinicians should consider the potential negative impact of prescribing so many medications at once, the study's authors noted.

October 13, 2020

A breakthrough on the horizon: Humans could begin receiving transplanted pig hearts by 2021

A longtime goal for cardiac surgeons now appears to be within reach, according to researchers out of Massachusetts General Hospital.

October 8, 2020

SGLT2 inhibitors associated with consistent cardiovascular benefits

The study's authors explored data from six different randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

October 7, 2020

How treating AFib with catheter ablation affects patients with heart failure

One key finding reported by the research team was a substantial decrease in AFib readmissions.

September 30, 2020

Chemotherapy could be damaging children’s heart cells, leading to problems later in life

The researchers think their findings may explain why so many cancer survivors go on to experience heart failure.

September 30, 2020

Up close and personal: Detailed cellular map of the heart offers ‘a goldmine of information’

The map, part of a study published in Nature, can provide new details about cellular structure and how cells interact with one another. It could even help with the treatment of COVID-19.

September 24, 2020

Heart Failure

FDA sees value in no-implant heart failure device

FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders

‘Incredibly rewarding’: FDA expands total artificial heart study after early success

Cardiologists perform world’s first leadless LBBAP procedures with Abbott pacemaker

Cardiologists work to standardize the diagnosis and management of acute myocarditis