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).

CT imaging showing the congenital heart defect of left heart hypoplastic syndrome.

New avenue for regenerating damaged heart cells discovered

Gene manipulation can revert the cardiomyocytes back to a fetal state, allowing them to regenerate. Researchers are now looking for drugs to mimic the effect.

doctor examines patient data on their tablet

Engineers team with cardiologist to rethink heart pump assessments

The group’s work is focused on how signal processing technologies and machine learning can track the health of VADs and the patients who need them. 

Eko Health, the California-based healthcare technology company known for its advanced stethoscopes, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a new artificial intelligence (AI) offering designed to detect low ejection fraction (EF).

Eko Health raises $41M to expand footprint of its AI-powered stethoscopes

Now that the company has gained FDA approval for multiple algorithms, Eko Health aims to reach as many patients as possible with its AI-powered devices.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

FDA clears advanced AI model for predicting heart failure risk

The new algorithm from Implicity evaluates implantable device data and monitors patients for changes that suggest they could experience severe heart failure symptoms in the near future. It was designed to alert clinicians up to weeks in advance.

FDA announces another new recall involving Abbott’s HeartMate 3 LVADs after 70 injuries, 2 deaths

Abbott issued the new recall after receiving more than 80 reports of blood or air entering the LVAD during implant procedures. Customers can still use these devices, but they are advised to follow specific steps to limit the risk of complications. 

COVID-19 vaccine vaccination myocarditis heart damage inflammation RSNA imaging radiology cardiology

COVID-19 vaccines helped heart failure patients stay out of the hospital and live longer

Vaccination was linked to key benefits in terms of all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, stroke, heart attack, myocarditis, venous thromboembolism and testing positive for COVID-19. 

First-in-Man Experience of Robotic-Assisted Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair With Pure Echo Guidance

Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER

A 62-year-old women presented with severe MR and recurrent heart failure episodes. Initial data suggest the procedure was a success.

Confirmed: AFib ablation more beneficial for patients with HFrEF than those with HFpEF

Researchers explored data from nearly 2,500 AFib ablation patients, sharing their findings in JAMA Cardiology.