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).

FDA announces new recall of Abbott’s HeartMate LVADs after 14 deaths
The issue at the center of this recall, which includes both the HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 LVAD, is the gradual buildup of biological materials. This can impact the device's performance, creating a heightened risk of injury or death.
Inter-atrial shunt in REDUCE-HF improves symptoms in HFrEF, but not HFpEF
Gregg Stone, MD, explains the details of the late-breaking REDUCE-HF trial at ACC.24, where an inter-atrial shunt improved symptoms in HFrEF, but not in HFpEF patients.
Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments
CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open.
Weight loss drug semaglutide benefits obese patients presenting with HFpEF, type 2 diabetes
The new research, based on data from more than 600 patients, was presented at ACC.24 in Atlanta and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Semaglutide is sold by Novo Nordisk under the brand name Wegovy.
Day 1 at ACC.24: Late-breakers examine potential new heart attack, heart failure treatments
ACC.24 in Atlanta began Saturday, April 6, with a series of late-breaking clinical trials exploring brand new treatment strategies.

FDA approves new drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension from Johnson & Johnson, Merck

Cardiologists now have two more tools to help them combat PAH, a rare vascular condition that often leads to heart failure.

March 27, 2024

Novo Nordisk to acquire biotech company working on new heart failure drug for $1.1B

Cardior Pharmaceuticals in Germany has been developing a new compound it says can “halt and partially reverse cellular pathology” in heart failure patients.

March 25, 2024

A possible remedy for cardiology’s staffing shortages: heart failure internists

Internal medicine physicians spend a lot of time working with heart failure patients. A new commentary in JACC: Heart Failure explored the potential impact of providing IM trainees with special training so that they can deliver additional value.

March 21, 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Abiomed is recalling its instructions for certain Impella left-sided blood pumps due to significant safety concerns. New and revised instructions for use (IFU) have been sent to all affected customers.

FDA announces new recall impacting more than 66,000 Impella heart pumps after 49 deaths

More than 100 patients have been seriously injured as a result of a significant safety concern. The Impella devices can still be used, according to the recall, if customers refer to Abiomed's new and revised instructions for use.

March 21, 2024

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

‘Highly effective’: COVID-19 vaccines reduced risk of heart failure, other cardiovascular complications after infection

Researchers explored data from more than 20 million adults for the new study, tracking both short- and long-term outcomes.

March 20, 2024

Since the first U.S. deceased after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplant in late 2019, there has bee ongoing research to determine the best way to utilize this new source of donor hearts. Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine recently published a study in JAMA Network Open about their use of beating heart transplant procedures. It was found to be safe and had additional benefits. By avoiding additional warm and cold ischemic periods it eliminated need for ECMO.

New DCD heart transplant technique could reduce risk of serious injury

This new approach to transplanting deceased after circulatory death (DCD) hearts may offer significant benefits.

March 19, 2024

Elderly patient doctor. Despite an expanded indication from the FDA and lower prices, patient access to these cholesterol-lowering medications remains a significant issue.

Cognitive impairment among heart failure patients: How cardiologists can help

The Heart Failure Society of America shared a new scientific statement about this topic, noting that many patients may require additional help.

March 13, 2024

Abbott recalls device for tracking LVAD data after 8 injuries

This is a Class I recall, which means using the device “may cause serious injuries or death.” However, the FDA emphasized that this is a correction and not a product removal.

March 11, 2024

Heart Failure

FDA announces new recall of Abbott’s HeartMate LVADs after 14 deaths

Inter-atrial shunt in REDUCE-HF improves symptoms in HFrEF, but not HFpEF

Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments

Weight loss drug semaglutide benefits obese patients presenting with HFpEF, type 2 diabetes

Day 1 at ACC.24: Late-breakers examine potential new heart attack, heart failure treatments