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 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 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.
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.
Statin therapy may help HFpEF patients lower their risk of death, heart attack or stroke
All participants were free of ASCVD and had no history of statin use at the start of the study.

Bodyport, a San Francisco-based healthcare technology company focused on detecting cardiovascular disease, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for a new digital scale that can help monitor fluid retention and enable earlier interventions in heart failure management.

Cardiac scale gains FDA clearance, putting patients 1 step away from a heart assessment

The newly cleared device works like a traditional scale, but it captures more data than just the user's weight.

August 9, 2022

The Harmony pulmonary valve was among the devices involved with the FDA Breakthrough Device Designation program that gained more rapid market clearance. The FDA graph shows cardiovascular devices leading the types of devices involved in the program.

Cardiovascular devices lead FDA Breakthrough Device Designation program

The FDA said cardiovascular devices make up the largest number of technologies accepted into the Breakthrough Devices Program, and several are on the list of the first 50 in the program to gain market clearance.

August 4, 2022

This latest shortage involves dobutamine, an injectable medication often prescribed for advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock. It is also a central component of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), a test used to evaluate patients with severe aortic stenosis.

A new supply issue hits cardiology: 5 recommendations for cardiologists during the dobutamine shortage

The shortage could lead to significant issues for cardiologists. The American College of Cardiology provided some words of wisdom on the ongoing issue.

August 3, 2022

Cardiologists sound the alarm as ‘staggering’ new data suggest CVD rates in the U.S. will rise dramatically

New data from the CDC and U.S. Census Bureau show just how bad CVD rates could get in the next few decades. Specialists agree that a lot of work is needed to help keep these estimates from becoming a reality.

August 2, 2022

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Heart failure deaths on the rise among young adults

After staying mostly consistent between 1999 and 2012, age-adjusted mortality rates rose sharply through 2019.

July 29, 2022

Ancora Heart AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System heart failure FDA

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears AI-powered Apple Watch competitor, grants breakthrough designation to new heart failure device

Ancora Heart received the FDA’s breakthrough device designation for its AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System, a new minimally invasive transcatheter device designed for the treatment of heart failure.

July 25, 2022

Salt substitutes are associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure without increasing the risk of low blood pressure, according to new findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.[1]

Restricting salt intake too much may backfire for some heart patients

Limiting salt is a common recommendation for patients hoping to improve their heart health or lose weight. According to a new analysis of more than 1,700 patients, however, going too far with such restrictions can lead to worse outcomes.

July 19, 2022

Cardiologists applaud new research on social/structural determinants of health among heart patients

The American Heart Association and Association of Black Cardiologists announced the winners of a six-month data challenge, describing health equity as "one of the most pressing areas in healthcare.”

July 15, 2022

Heart Failure

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

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

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

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

Statin therapy may help HFpEF patients lower their risk of death, heart attack or stroke