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).

Wake Forest University School of Medicine has received a five-year grant worth $30 million from the National Institute of Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, to study the potential benefits of a new-look rehabilitation program on patients who are hospitalized with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Can strength and endurance training help heart failure patients live longer?

Researchers have received a five-year grant worth $30 million to study how a new-look physical rehab program impacts outcomes among older HFpEF patients.

October 6, 2022
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5 key predictors of heart failure hospitalizations after TAVR

Diabetes and atrial fibrillation are just some of the factors that can increase a patient's risk of being hospitalized for heart failure within one year of undergoing a successful TAVR procedure.

October 6, 2022
High-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with an Impella heart pump is associated with better outcomes, including a significantly higher survival rate, than high-risk PCI with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), according to new findings published in the American Journal of Cardiology. Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Impella heart pumps boost survival up to 81% for cardiogenic shock patients

The heart pumps appear to provide significant benefits for patients with acute myocardial infarction- or myocarditis-related cardiogenic shock. 

September 28, 2022
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AHA, AMA drop lawsuit challenge to No Surprises Act

The American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have dropped their legal challenge to the interim final rule independent dispute resolution process of the No Surprises Act.

September 21, 2022
USPSTF updates its stance on aspirin use to prevent CVD, sees no benefit for patients 60 or older.

HFpEF patients with MR may face a higher mortality risk—but not if they have AFib

There is an established connection between MR and HFrEF, but we know much less about the link between MR and HFpEF. 

September 13, 2022
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Cardiologists identify a potential new side effect of monkeypox: acute myocarditis

A 31-year-old patient developed acute myocarditis shortly after the onset of monkeypox symptoms. The team that treated him shared their story in a new case study.

September 2, 2022
Recall | Product recall

FDA announces a new recall of more than 23,000 batteries for Medtronic’s HVAD system

This latest recall was initiated because electrical faults could cause the batteries to stop working, which leads to a risk of serious injury or death.

August 25, 2022
Even patients who were never hospitalized for COVID-19 face a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues. #longcovid

Myocarditis risk higher after COVID-19 infection than after vaccination, new study of 43 million patients confirms

The new analysis, published in Circulation, confirmed that vaccine-related myocarditis is incredibly rare.

August 24, 2022