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).

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His-optimized CRT improves electrical resynchronization in advanced HF patients

His-optimized cardiac resynchronization therapy successfully narrowed QRS duration, improved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and heightened functionality in 27 patients with advanced heart failure (HF), according to a study published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.

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Almost 25% of HFrEF patients prescribed drugs that could worsen their condition

Nearly a quarter of adults living with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are prescribed at least one pharmaceutical that could exacerbate their condition, according to a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology Feb. 10.

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Optimal hemodynamics reduce HF readmissions in LVAD patients

Optimizing hemodynamics for heart failure (HF) patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) significantly reduces the rate of those patients’ hospital readmissions, according to a study published Feb. 1 in Circulation: Heart Failure.

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Postmarket mortality for Impella RP exceeds rate from earlier trials

Survival rates for patients treated with Abiomed’s Impella RP right ventricular assist device have been much lower in a postapproval study than they were during the device’s premarket clinical trials, the FDA said Feb. 4 in a letter to physicians.  

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Some chemo drugs might be more heart-safe than others

Current conversion ratios may be underestimating the long-term cardiotoxicity of common chemotherapy agents like mitoxantrone and overestimating the cardiovascular risk of anthracyclines like daunorubicin, researchers reported in JAMA Oncology Jan. 31.

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Setting an example: Transplant surgeon accepts heart with hepatitis C

Knowing he needed a new heart, Robert Montgomery, MD, saw an opportunity to practice what he preaches. So, the 58-year-old director of NYU Langone Health’s Transplant Institute accepted an organ from a heroin user who died of a drug overdose and had hepatitis C.

Study: Benefits of beta-blockers outweigh risks in cocaine users with HFrEF

Active cocaine users with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) benefited from beta-blocker therapy in a recent study, seeing improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reduced rates of cocaine-related CV events despite long-standing worries that the treatment might exacerbate symptoms of HF.

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How advanced HF patients and their caregivers can ensure a favorable QoL

The nature of caregiving means the caregiver-patient relationship is always changing, but continued support from a network of experts and dedication to mutuality and preparedness can ensure both patients and caregivers have a good quality of life (QoL), according to a study published Jan. 14 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

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