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.

Harlan Krumholz, MD, SM, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), and a cardiologist and the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Medicine at the Yale school Medicine, explains some of the key technology advances he is watching across cardiology.

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.

Biotronik has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to make its Solia S lead and Selectra 3D catheter available for a new indication: left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP).

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.

A heart team at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, made a bit of history, completing the 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. One reason this patient was selected was the fact that he had specifically requested the heart team not open his chest.

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.

Implantable Barostim device improves long-term heart failure symptoms

The FDA-approved device helps regulate the heart, kidneys and vascular system by targeting sensors in a patient's carotid artery.

Abiomed, Biosense Webster, Cerenovus now all known as Johnson & Johnson MedTech

These companies were already part of the Johnson & Johnson family, but they had still retained their previous brand names. Now, each one is officially going by Johnson & Johnson MedTech.

HFSA 2023 image courtesy of the Heart Failure Society of America

HFSA announces late-breaking research for 2024 annual meeting

In addition to more traditional presentations, this year's meeting will also include "Rapid Fire" sessions designed to pack a lot of late-breaking data into a relatively small amount of time.

AISAP, an Israeli healthcare technology company focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance medical imaging results, has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its new point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) software platform, AISAP Cardio.

FDA clears AI-powered POCUS platform for structural heart disease, heart failure

The cloud-based platform was designed to help even inexperienced users scan and diagnose a majority of common heart issues within minutes without leaving the patient’s side.

No aspirin, no problem: FDA approves key update for Abbott heart pumps

Patients have typically been told to take aspirin and an oral anticoagulant following treatment to help combat the risk of blood clots. Now, they can skip the aspirin altogether.

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