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).

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Transplant recipients may face risk of aging-related complications if receiving a much older heart

Early research suggests initiating therapy with senescence-inhibiting drugs could limit the risk of these side effects. 

HeartMate 3 LVAD abbott

Former FDA employees share concerns about heart device safety data

Abbott's HeartMate 3 LVAD is the only FDA-approved device of its kind currently available in the United States. Should reports of adverse events worry cardiologists? Or are they to be expected when treating such a vulnerable patient population?

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‘A true breakthrough’: The eye-opening potential of GLP-1 agonists to treat heart, kidney disease in addition to obesity

While GLP-1 drugs were originally developed to treat diabetes, researchers keep finding additional ways these medications can potentially benefit patients.

Dapagliflozin improves symptoms in some, but not all, heart failure patients

The popular SGLT2 inhibitor, sold under the brand name Farxiga, is approved by the FDA to treat heart failure, type 2 diabetes and CKD. Recent data on its ability to affect the symptoms of heart failure patients have been inconsistent. 

BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart

FDA approves early feasibility study for total artificial heart technology

The device is intended to be a bridge for heart failure patients waiting to receive a full heart transplant.

Cardiologist receives $7M for 5-year study to boost care for heart failure patients

The research will focus on ways to improve the utilization of electronic resources among heart failure patients and the doctors who treat them.

cannabis use disorder marijuana joint weed smoking

Daily marijuana use increases heart failure risk by 34%

“Marijuana use isn’t without its health concerns, and our study provides more data linking its use to cardiovascular conditions," one researcher said. 

A closer look at how weight loss drug semaglutide improves the cardiovascular health of obese patients without diabetes

Novo Nordisk shared initial results from the SELECT trial back in August, but now the full analysis—which includes data from more than 17,000 patients—has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine. 

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Around the web

Health Imaging
Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Health Imaging
New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.