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).

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.

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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.

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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.

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JACC study: Some heart transplant centers likely to ‘game the waitlist’

Candidates for heart transplantation in the U.S. are prioritized by the intensity of treatment they’ve received, leading some centers to overtreat patients to improve their odds of getting a treasured donor heart, suggests a study published April 13 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Extreme cold increases mortality, morbidity for those with cardiovascular diseases

Extreme temperatures can put undo pressure on the human body—which can lead to deadly complications for those with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Recent research discovered cold temperatures, meaning the first to third percentile of local exposure history, have an especially significant impact on mortality and morbidity for those with cardiovascular diseases.

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Timing of follow-up visits after heart failure doesn’t improve medication adherence

Speedy follow-up with patients after heart failure hospitalizations doesn’t boost medication adherence long-term, researchers reported April 1 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Abiomed adds optical sensor, SmartAssist technology to FDA approval for Impella CP

Abiomed announced April 2 its Impella CP heart pump has received expanded FDA premarket approval for its SmartAssist technology. SmartAssist utilizes an optical sensor to inform exact positioning for the device and provide data on left ventricular pressure, end-diastolic pressure and cardiac power output.

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New study finds no link between heart failure, cancer

Heart failure was not associated with an increased risk of cancer in a study of almost 30,000 men despite previous reports linking the two conditions.