In the population of patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), the incidence of aortic dissection over a mean of 16 years of follow-up was low, but significantly higher than in the general population, according to a study published in the Sept. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Bioheart stated it will begin a U.S. clinical program utilizing adipose cells for congestive heart failure patients. In what it is calling the Angel trial, the Sunrise, Fla.-based company will use data from a Phase I/II trial in Mexico and clinical studies to apply to the FDA to start a Phase I study in the U.S.

It is no surprise that patients diagnosed with heart failure (HF) wish to see a heightened quality of life after hospital discharge; however, a study published in the July issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, showed that nearly half of the patients discharged from hospitalization for acute decompensated HF did not survive to experience a favorable quality of life during 24-week follow-up.

Despite the fact that recent research has outlined disparities in hospital care, a study published Aug. 23 in Circulation: Heart Failure showed that women received nearly the same quality of care as men who are treated at hospitals that use the American Heart Associations Get with the GuidelinesHeart Failure program. However, while the quality is there, patients may still not receive recommended treatments.

Due to its complexity, heart failure is the most common reason for rehospitalizations in the U.S., leading to hefty overall costs. Thus, providers and payors are seeking better management strategies for this patient population to reduce preventable rehospitalizations and mortality through improved, protocol-driven coordinated care from the inpatient to the outpatient settings.

Hospital administrators may have to learn this proactive business approach from the former CEO and Chairman of General Electric, Jack Welch.

WorldHeart has ended efforts to commercialize its Levacor ventricular assist device (VAD) and will cut its workforce by 42 percent. The company said it will no longer enroll participants in the Levacor bridge-to-transplant clinical study but will continue to provide technical support to recipients of the devices and their clinical centers.

Patients with heart failure (HF) often have the presence of iron depletion, suggesting a potential link between anemia and adverse prognosis in HF, according to a study published in the July 26 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. However, editorialists questioned whether the study was powered to draw that conclusion.