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.

Cardiovascular mortality rates for IHD, CHF vary 'significantly' across VA hospitals

Risk-standardized cardiovascular mortality rates vary ‘substantially’ for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) across the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs), according to a study published online May 16 in JAMA Cardiology.

May 16, 2018

Genetic variant may contribute to alcoholic cardiomyopathy

Researchers have identified a genetic variant that may predispose individuals to alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM), possibly opening the door for genetic testing and familial evaluation.

May 15, 2018

High BNP levels linked to increased mortality regardless of heart failure status

High concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are equally predictive of mortality in patients with and without heart failure, according to a study published May 7 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

May 7, 2018

Hospital-to-home transitional care reduces deaths, readmissions for heart failure

The use of “virtual wards” may be helpful in preventing death and rehospitalizations for patients with congestive heart failure, according to a study published April 30 in PLOS One.

May 7, 2018

Eidos Therapeutics Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial for AG10 Targeting Transthyretin Amyloidosis Cardiomyopathy

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Eidos Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel oral therapy to treat transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis (ATTR), today announced dosing of the first patient in the Phase 2 clinical trial of AG10 in patients with ATTR cardiomyopathy.

May 3, 2018

Black heart failure patients 42% less likely to receive ICU care from cardiologists

Black Americans admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with heart failure are 42 percent less likely to receive primary care from a cardiologist, which is associated with better survival odds for all patients.

May 1, 2018

Global longitudinal strain: A new gold standard for assessing heart failure?

A measure of global longitudinal strain (GLS) was far more predictive of mortality than left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in a study of 4,172 patients with acute heart failure, demonstrating its potential as a new standard technique.

April 30, 2018

The eyes have it? Retinal images in children may show later risk of cardiovascular disease

Poor health in adolescence can be an indicator of an individual’s future risk of cardiovascular disease. What seems like common sense, lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children can lead to structural changes in retinal blood vessels.

April 19, 2018

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