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 approves vutrisiran to treat ATTR-CM
The subcutaneous drug, sold under the brand name Amvuttra, joins an ATTR-CM market that already includes Pfizer’s tafamidis (Vyndaqel, Vyndamax) and BridgeBio’s acoramidis (Attruby).
Direct marketing to cardiologists increases uptake of some, but not all, heart failure drugs
Researchers tracked three years of CMS data to explore how meal-based marketing may influence the habits of general and advanced heart failure cardiologists.
Cannabis use increases risk of heart attack, stroke in young adults
“Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians' workup to understand patients' overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes,” one researcher said. Additional details will be presented at ACC.25 in Chicago.
Patient discharged with total artificial heart for first time—goes 105 days while awaiting transplant
Total artificial heart recipients typically stay in the hospital. In this case, however, the patient was able to wait for a donated heart from the comfort of his own home.
Fewer heart failure patients are dying from cardiac arrest—but disparities persist
CDC data shows that mortality from heart failure-related cardiac arrest has decreased significantly in the last 25 years. However, researchers noted, care teams still have considerable work to do.

FDA approves vutrisiran to treat ATTR-CM

The subcutaneous drug, sold under the brand name Amvuttra, joins an ATTR-CM market that already includes Pfizer’s tafamidis (Vyndaqel, Vyndamax) and BridgeBio’s acoramidis (Attruby).

business marketing meal lunch food group project team building

Direct marketing to cardiologists increases uptake of some, but not all, heart failure drugs

Researchers tracked three years of CMS data to explore how meal-based marketing may influence the habits of general and advanced heart failure cardiologists.

Cannabis use increases risk of heart attack, stroke in young adults

“Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians' workup to understand patients' overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes,” one researcher said. Additional details will be presented at ACC.25 in Chicago.

Surgeons in Houston have performed the world’s first successful human implant of BiVACOR’s Total Artificial Heart (TAH) technology. The procedure was completed July 9, 2024, at The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. It was part of an early feasibility study (EFS) first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in December 2023.

Patient discharged with total artificial heart for first time—goes 105 days while awaiting transplant

Total artificial heart recipients typically stay in the hospital. In this case, however, the patient was able to wait for a donated heart from the comfort of his own home.

Fewer heart failure patients are dying from cardiac arrest—but disparities persist

CDC data shows that mortality from heart failure-related cardiac arrest has decreased significantly in the last 25 years. However, researchers noted, care teams still have considerable work to do.

Douglas Overbey, MD, an assistant professor in the department of surgery at Duke University School of Medicine, checks in with 9-year-old Kensley Frizzell as she recovers from heart surgery. Image courtesy of Duke Health and Duke University School of Medicine.

Surgeons make history, perform world’s first living mitral valve replacement

The historic heart procedure was part of a series of operations that saved the lives of three young girls. “The whole situation is extraordinary, whether you look at it from the standpoint of a scientific breakthrough or the average person’s point of view,” one parent said.

Sotagliflozin the first drug of its kind to limit heart attacks, strokes in high-risk patients

Sotagliflozin, a dual SGLTI and SGLT2 inhibitor, can significantly reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes, CKD and additional cardiovascular risk factors, according to a new study of more than 10,000 patients.

Osteoporosis drug shows potential to treat heart disease

Researchers used advanced AI to see if any FDA-approved medications could potentially reverse one of the mutations behind dilated cardiomyopathy. Risedronate, a popular osteoporosis medication, is the one candidate that got the job done.

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