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.

Machine learning improves patient selection for CRT

A novel machine learning algorithm improved patient selection for CRT in a study of nearly 1,000 heart failure patients, representing an opportunity to optimize care and spare certain individuals from a pricey procedure that might not benefit them.

October 22, 2019

FDA OKs dapagliflozin to reduce risk of HF hospitalization in adults with T2D

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced Oct. 21 that its drug Farxiga—or dapagliflozin—was approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes.

October 21, 2019

1 in 5 patients in cardiac rehab are depressed, anxious or stressed

Around one in five heart patients in cardiac rehabilitation are depressed, anxious or stressed, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

October 10, 2019

Analysis adds to evidence of an ‘obesity paradox’ in heart failure

Evidence published in BMJ Heart last month supports the idea of an “obesity paradox” in heart failure, further complicating a long-running debate as to whether extra weight can be cardioprotective in patients with established CVD.

October 7, 2019

Communication training improves end-of-life discussions between HF patients, physicians

A 90-minute communication skills course improved conversations about ICD deactivation and goals of care between clinicians and their patients, according to the recently published results of the WISDOM study.

September 25, 2019

Cardiac amyloidosis increasingly common in US

New research suggests the incidence of cardiac amyloidosis in the U.S. is trending up, bringing with it high rates of morbidity and mortality.

September 20, 2019

Dapagliflozin fast-tracked again—this time to treat heart failure

Just weeks after it fast-tracked dapagliflozin for the treatment of chronic kidney disease, the FDA announced it was granting Fast Track status to the drug for another indication: heart failure.

September 16, 2019

Malaria tied to 30% increased risk of HF

Research presented at the ESC Congress in Paris Sept. 2 suggests malaria could be linked to as much as a 30% increased risk of heart failure.

September 5, 2019

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