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 shares update on heart devices linked to multiple recalls and patient deaths

The devices, designed to provide temporary support to a patient's left ventricle, have been associated with a long list of issues in recent months. 

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First 10 drugs chosen by White House for Medicare price negotiations include blood thinners, heart failure meds

Medicare enrollees paid a total of $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs for these drugs in 2022 alone, according to new data shared by the White House. 

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Weight loss drug semaglutide linked to multiple benefits for heart failure patients

Researchers think their findings, which were presented at ESC Congress 2023 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, could "change the nature of the conversation about the role of obesity in HFpEF."

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ESC Congress 2023: 4 key sessions scheduled for world’s largest gathering of cardiology professionals

The four-day event in Amsterdam officially begins on Friday, Aug. 25. Read our sneak preview of some of the conference's key sessions. 

A complete list of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2023 Congress late-breaking Hot Line sessions. #ESCCongress

ESC Congress 2023 to feature 30 late-breaking clinical trials

The European Society of Cardiology's annual meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25-28, 2023, in Amsterdam.

Abiomed recalls heart pump catheter labeling after 12 injuries

This is a Class I recall, which means using the devices “may cause serious injuries or death.” The catheter's instructions have been updated to reduce the risk of complications going forward. 

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FDA announces yet another recall, the fifth of 2023, for troubled heart devices

The latest Class I recall is due to mechanical issues that can cause the devices to stop charging their batteries. 

FDA announces fourth recall of 2023 for troubled heart devices

This latest recall was brought on by electrical failures and includes more than 4,500 devices. There have been 26 complaints due to the issue but no reported injuries or deaths. 

Around the web

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

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