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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Thoratecs Q1 bolstered by HeartMate launch

Thoratec, a developer of device-based mechanical circulatory support therapies for failing hearts, has reported the its revenues for the first fiscal quarter of 2010, which ended April 3, increased 36 percent versus the year-ago first quarter.

HRS: Biotronik launches Evia pacemaker with home monitoring features

DenverBiotronik featured its Evia pacemaker equipped with patient monitoring and remote follow-up capabilities at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) scientific sessions May 12-15.

HRS: LV leads positioned in apical region increase HF, death risk

DENVERLeft ventricular (LV) leads positioned in the apical region when compared to the mid-ventricular or basal regions are associated with a significantly increased risk of heart failure (HF) and death in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), according to a late-breaking clinical trial presented today at the Heart Rhythm Societys 31st annual scientific sessions.

HRS: Implantation complications happen, here's how to avoid them

DENVER--With the need for cardiac device implantation on the rise, operators must be aware of complications and the proper techniques to avoid them, said Steve L. Higgins, MD, of Cardiac Arrhythmia Associates in La Jolla, Calif., during a presentation today at the 31st annual Heart Rhythm Society scientific sessions.

CardioMEMS raises $37.9M to complete CHAMPION trial

CardioMEMS has raised $37.9 million to complete its CHAMPION clinical trial that will evaluate the safety of its heart failure pressure measurement system.

Physio-Control launches STEMI management system upgrades

Physio-Control, a subsidiary of Medtronic, has released its Lifenet System Version 4.1, a secure web-based platform that communicates patient data between the emergency medical services and a hospital team.

Circulation: Malpractice fears compel cardiologists to order unnecessary tests

Concerns among cardiologists of malpractice suits and push from referring physicians to order tests can help influence the rates of unnecessary testing. The use of cardiac testing and procedures as well as their costs vary among geographic locations, which could be a result of the use of physicians' non-clinical decision factors, based on study results in the April 15 issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Circulation: Socioeconomics trump age, sex for post-CABG mortality

Regardless of race or sex, those with a lower socioeconomic position (SEP) have greater mortality rates five to 10 years after heart surgery compared with patients of a higher SEP, based on study results published April 6 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

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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.

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