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).

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.
Dapagliflozin improves outcomes for elderly TAVR patients with heart failure
The positive data were presented as part of a late-breaking clinical trial at ACC.25 in Chicago. One cardiologist on stage for the presentation said these findings will impact the way he manages certain TAVR patients.
FDA approves vutrisiran to treat ATTR-CM
The subcutaneous drug, sold under the brand name Amvuttra, joins an ATTR-CM market that already includes Pfizer’s tafamidis (Vyndaqel, Vyndamax) and BridgeBio’s acoramidis (Attruby).
Direct marketing to cardiologists increases uptake of some, but not all, heart failure drugs
Researchers tracked three years of CMS data to explore how meal-based marketing may influence the habits of general and advanced heart failure cardiologists.
Cannabis use increases risk of heart attack, stroke in young adults
“Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians' workup to understand patients' overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes,” one researcher said. Additional details will be presented at ACC.25 in Chicago.

Vericiguat ineffective for patients with worsening HFpEF

The analysis included data from nearly 800 patients with a history of chronic heart failure.

Beta-blocker use benefits patients with HFrEF and chronic kidney disease

However, these trends do not appear to be true for all heart failure patients.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SGLT2 inhibitors associated with consistent cardiovascular benefits

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

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.

Heart Failure

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

Dapagliflozin improves outcomes for elderly TAVR patients with heart failure

FDA approves vutrisiran to treat ATTR-CM

Direct marketing to cardiologists increases uptake of some, but not all, heart failure drugs

Cannabis use increases risk of heart attack, stroke in young adults